[def] 
adjective, -er, -est, 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). |
[def] , with the vowel of left. In uneducated speech the pronunciation [deef], to rhyme with leaf, is heard, though it is becoming less common.| deaf (děf) adj. deaf·er, deaf·est
[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. |
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.
deafness deaf·ness (děf'nĭs)
n.
The lack or loss of the ability to hear.
| deafness (děf'nĭs) Pronunciation Key
The lack or severe impairment of the ability to hear. Deafness is usually genetic or congenital as a result of prenatal viral infection, birth trauma, or other causes. Acquired deafness is caused mostly by drug toxicity, trauma, and certain diseases. Cochlear implants are used to treat some forms of deafness. |
