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deaf
9 dictionary results for: Deaf
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
deaf 
[def] Pronunciation Key adjective, -er, -est, noun
—Related forms
[def] Pronunciation Key adjective, -er, -est, noun –adjective
–noun
| 1. | partially or wholly lacking or deprived of the sense of hearing; unable to hear. |
| 2. | refusing to listen, heed, or be persuaded; unreasonable or unyielding: deaf to all advice. |
| 3. | (used with a plural verb) deaf persons collectively (usually prec. by the). |
[Origin: bef. 900; ME deef, OE déaf; c. MLG dōf, D doof, OHG toub]
] —Related forms
deafly, adverb
deafness, noun
—Pronunciation note Deaf is usually pronounced
[def] Pronunciation Key, with the vowel of left. In uneducated speech the pronunciation
[deef], to rhyme with leaf, is heard, though it is becoming less common.
[def] Pronunciation Key, with the vowel of left. In uneducated speech the pronunciation
[deef], to rhyme with leaf, is heard, though it is becoming less common.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
| deaf
(děf) Pronunciation Key
adj. deaf·er, deaf·est
n. (used with a pl. verb)
[Middle English def, deef, from Old English dēaf.] deaf'ly adv., deaf'ness n. Usage Note: The rise of the Deaf Pride movement in the 1980s has introduced a distinction between deaf and Deaf, with the capitalized form used specifically in referring to deaf persons belonging to the community—also known as Deaf culture—that has formed around the use of American Sign Language as the preferred means of communication. The issue of capitalization is different with deaf than it is for a term such as black. In the case of black, the decision whether or not to capitalize is essentially a matter of personal or political preference, while with deaf the capitalized and uncapitalized forms differ in meaning as well as style. Only persons who are self-identified as belonging to Deaf culture are appropriately referred to as Deaf. |
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
deaf
deaf
O.E. deaf "deaf, dull, obtuse," specialized from P.Gmc. *daubaz, from PIE dheubh-, which was used to form words meaning "confusion, stupefaction, dizziness" (cf. Gk. typhlos "blind). The word was pronounced to rhyme with reef until 18c. Deaf-mute is from 1837, after Fr. sourd-muet. Deaf-mutes were sought after in 18c.-19c. Britain as fortune-tellers. Deaf as an adder (O.E.) is from Psalms lviii.5.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
| deaf | |
adjective | |
| 1. | lacking or deprived of the sense of hearing wholly or in part [ant: hearing] |
| 2. | (usually followed by 'to') unwilling or refusing to pay heed; "deaf to her warnings" |
noun | |
| 1. | people who have severe hearing impairments; "many of the deaf use sign language" |
verb | |
| 1. | make or render deaf; "a deafening noise" [syn: deafen] |
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms - Cite This Source - Share This
deaf
In addition to the idiom beginning with deaf, also see fall on deaf ears; stone deaf; turn a deaf ear.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
deaf (děf)
adj.
- Partially or completely lacking in the sense of hearing.
- Deaf Of or relating to the Deaf or their culture.
- Deaf people considered as a group.
- Deaf The community of deaf people who use American Sign Language as a primary means of communication.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
U.S. Gazetteer - Cite This Source - Share This
Deaf Smith County, TX (county, FIPS 117) Location: 34.97339 N, 102.60240 W
Population (1990): 19153 (7152 housing units)
Area: 3878.4 sq km (land), 2.4 sq km (water)
U.S. Gazetteer, U.S. Census Bureau
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Deaf
Deaf\ (?; 277), a. [OE. def, deaf, deef, AS. de['a]f; akin to D. doof, G. taub, Icel. daufr, Dan. d["o]v, Sw. d["o]f, 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.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Deaf
Deaf\ (?; 277), v. t. To deafen. [Obs.] --Dryden.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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