In medical jurisprudence. Loss of the power of articulate speech in consequence of morbld conditions of some of the vocal organs. It may be incomplete, in which case the patient can whisper. It is to be distinguished from congenital dumbness, and from temporary loss of voice through extreme hoarseness or minor affections of the vocal cords, as also from aphasia, the latter heing a disease of the brain without lmpairment of the organs of speech
Source: Black's Law Dictionary 2nd Ed (1910)
