Tongue-tied

/ˈtʌŋtaɪd/ · adjective

Meaning

(pathology) Having tongue-tie or ankyloglossia (“a congenital oral anomaly in which the lingual frenulum (a membrane connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth) is unusually short and thick, decreasing mobility of the tongue and affecting eating, speech, etc.”)..

Definitions by Sense

1. (pathology) Having tongue-tie or ankyloglossia (“a congenital oral anomaly in which the lingual frenulum (a membrane connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth) is unusually short and thick, decreasing mobility of the tongue and affecting eating, speech, etc.”).
2. Prevented from or unable to express oneself clearly or fluently, or freely; at a loss for words, speechless.
3. Reluctant to speak up; reserved, reticent.
4. Physically unable to speak; dumb, mute.
5. simple past and past participle of tongue-tie

Example Sentences

But it ſeemes to mee that Dauid meeneth cheefly, that among the blaſphemies of his foes wherewith they endeuered too ouerwhelme hys Faythe, he himſelfe was not tungtyde: but rather lifted vp his voyce vnto God, whom the vngodly ſurmiſed to haue bin turned against him.

My toung-tide Muſe in manners holds her ſtill, / While comments of your praiſe richly compil'd, / Reſerue their Character with goulden quill, / And precious phraſe by all the Muſes fil'd.

[…] Appius [Claudius Caecus] in trumping and taunting manner, gave out and ſaid, That they vvere beholden to him, and might con^([sic – meaning on?']) him thank, that of a dumb and tongue-tied Conſul they had one novv, that vvas ſo ready and eloquent: […]

And he [Aesop] was not only Unhappy in the moſt ſcandalous Figure of a Man that ever was heard of; but he was in a manner Tongue-Ty'd too, by ſuch an Impediment in his ſpeech, that People could very hardly underſtand what he ſaid.

I was elected to the Executive Committee of the Vegetarian Society, and made it a point to attend every one of its meetings, but I always felt tongue-tied. […] And it was not a little curious that whilst others expressed their opinions at these meetings, I sat quite silent. Not that I never felt tempted to speak. But I was at a loss to know how to express myself.

I was all this while chafing at the part I played, and sitting tongue-tied between shame and merriment; but somehow at this I could hold in no longer, and bade Alan let me be, for I was better already.

Tongue-tied or short of breath / Don't even try

Synonyms for tongue-tied

Antonyms for tongue-tied

Related Words

Word Forms

• more tongue-tied
• most tongue-tied

Usage Notes

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