\Ob`mu*tes"cence\ ([o^]b`m[-u]*t[e^]s"sens), n. [L.
obmutescens, p. pr of obmutescere to become dumb; ob (see
{Ob-}) + mutescere to grow dumb, fr. mutus dumb.]
1. A becoming dumb; loss of speech. --Sir T. Browne.
2. A keeping silent or mute. --Paley.