Deaf (?; 277), v. t. To deafen. [Obs.]
Dryden.
Deaf (?; 277), a. [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. &?; (for &?;) blind, &?; smoke, vapor, folly, and to
G. toben to rage. Cf. Dumb.]
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.
Shak.
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!
Shak.
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 and dumb, without the sense of hearing or the faculty of speech. See Deaf-mute.
Hear it pronounced