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(; 277), a.[OE. def, deaf, deef, AS. def; akin to D. doof, G. taub, Icel. daufr, Dan. dv, Sw. df, 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 sea Deaf (; 277), v. t.To deafen. [Obs.] Dryden. スポンサード リンク
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