mute v. moot

Mute

• noun: one who can’t speak; a device used to muffle a musical instrument
• verb: to soften the sound of
• adjective: unable to speak; expressed without speech

Moot

• noun: a hypothetical case argued by law students
• verb: to bring up for discussion
• adjective: arguable OR purely academic, without practical consequences
Because moot can either mean ‘debatable’ or ‘hypothetical, and therefore not worth debating’, context is critical if the writer’s intent is to be conveyed.