subvocalizedadj.
/ˌsʌbˈvəʊkəlʌɪzd/, U.S. /ˌsəbˈvoʊkəˌlaɪzd/ rare before the mid 20th cent.
Of a word, speech, etc.: that is uttered so as to be barely audible, murmured; (also) formed in one's mind without being uttered or spoken aloud. Cf. subvocal adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > manner of speaking > [adjective] > spoken in an undertone
submiss1585
submissive1632
summiss1742
inward1774
sotto voce1809
undertoned1860
subvocalized1864
1864 Harper's New Monthly Mag. May 749/2 Clarence smiled at the Captain's subvocalized monologue.
1934 Jrnl. Philos. 31 538 We have spoken..of..the subvocalized word, a behavior pattern, the independent existence of which..can only be inferred.
1975 H. Putnam Philos. Papers II. xiv. 294 There is no reason in principle why we couldn't construct a device which would project subvocalized thoughts from one brain to another.
2010 Guardian (Nexis) 26 Apr. 27 Nothing ages you quite as fast as a stiff back... You are incapable of sitting down or standing up without a subvocalised groan.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, June 2012; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1864