Main Entry:

deaf

Pronunciation:

\ˈdef, dialect ˈdēf\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Middle English deef, from Old English dēaf; akin to Greek typhlos blind, typhein to smoke, Latin fumus smoke — more at fume

Date:

before 12th century

1 : lacking or deficient in the sense of hearing 2 : unwilling to hear or listen : not to be persuaded <was overwrought and deaf to reason>

— deaf·ish \ˈde-fish\ adjective

— deaf·ly adverb

— deaf·ness noun