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Webster 1913 Edition


Deaf

Deaf

(dĕf or dēf; 277)
,
Adj.
[OE.
def
,
deaf
,
deef
, AS.
deáf
; akin to D.
doof
, G.
taub
, Icel.
daufr
, Dan.
döv
, Sw.
döf
, Goth.
daubs
, and prob. to E.
dumb
(the original sense being, dull as applied to one of the senses), and perh. to Gr.
τυφλόσ
(for
θυφλός
) blind,
τῦφοσ
smoke, vapor, folly, and to G.
toben
to rage. Cf.
Dum
b.]
1.
Wanting the sense of hearing, either wholly or in part; unable to perceive sounds; hard of hearing;
as, a
deaf
man
.
Come on my right hand, for this ear is
deaf
.
Shakespeare
2.
Unwilling to hear or listen; determinedly inattentive; regardless; not to be persuaded as to facts, argument, or exhortation; – with to;
as,
deaf
to reason
.
O, that men’s ears should be
To counsel
deaf
, but not to flattery!
Shakespeare
3.
Deprived of the power of hearing; deafened.
Deaf
with the noise, I took my hasty flight.
Dryden.
4.
Obscurely heard; stifled; deadened.
[R.]
A
deaf
murmur through the squadron went.
Dryden.
5.
Decayed; tasteless; dead;
as, a
deaf
nut;
deaf
corn.
[Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
Halliwell.
If the season be unkindly and intemperate, they [peppers] will catch a blast; and then the seeds will be
deaf
, void, light, and naught.
Holland.

Deaf

(?; 277)
,
Verb.
T.
To deafen.
[Obs.]
Dryden.

Webster 1828 Edition


Deaf

DEAF

,
Noun.
deef.