n. [ OE. motoun, OF. moton, molton, a sheep, wether, F. mouton, LL. multo, by transposition of l fr. L. mutilus mutilated. See Mutilate. ] 1. A sheep. [ Obs. ] Chapman. [ 1913 Webster ] Not so much ground as will feed a mutton. Sir H. Sidney. [ 1913 Webster ] Muttons, beeves, and porkers are good old words for the living quadrupeds. Hallam. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. The flesh of a sheep. [ 1913 Webster ] The fat of roasted mutton or beef. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. A loose woman; a prostitute. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ] Mutton bird (Zool.), the Australian short-tailed petrel (Nectris brevicaudus). -- Mutton chop, a rib of mutton for broiling, with the end of the bone at the smaller part chopped off. -- Mutton fish (Zool.), the American eelpout. See Eelpout. -- Mutton fist, a big brawny fist or hand. [ Colloq. ] Dryden. -- Mutton monger, a pimp. [ Low & Obs. ] Chapman. -- To return to one's muttons. [ A translation of a phrase from a farce by De Brueys, revenons à nos moutons let us return to our sheep. ] To return to one's topic, subject of discussion, etc. [ Humorous ] [ 1913 Webster ] I willingly return to my muttons. H. R. Haweis. [ 1913 Webster ]
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