deaf-and-dumb

American  

[def-uhn-duhm] / ˈdɛf ənˈdʌm /

adjective

Offensive.

1. deaf-mute.

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deaf-and-dumb British  

adjective

1. unable to hear or speak

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noun

1. a deaf person without speech

Sensitive Note

See dumb.

Usage

Using deaf-and-dumb to refer to people without speech is considered outdated and offensive, and should be avoided. The phrase profoundly deaf is a suitable alternative in many contexts

Etymology

Origin of deaf-and-dumb

1150–1200; Middle English def and doumb

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

deaf-and-dumb

In order to get Experience, she signed up with a No. 4 Company, playing the Part of the deaf-and-dumb lady who crosses the Stage and removes the Tea Things early in the Second Act.

From Knocking the Neighbors by George Ade

Goose-Skin runs after the trouvere, and imitating the gestures of the deaf-and-dumb, indicates that he pledges himself to silence.

From The Iron Pincers or Mylio and Karvel A Tale of the Albigensian Crusades by Eugène Sue

When Petronella awoke from what seemed to her a long dream, she found herself in her own bed, tended by the deaf-and-dumb servant, who was sitting beside her and watching her with wistful glances.

From The Lost Treasure of Trevlyn A Story of the Days of the Gunpowder Plot by Evelyn Everett-Green

Flibbertigibbet set immediately about earning the right to learn the deaf-and-dumb alphabet; she hung out all monitor Number Twelve's washing—dish towels, stockings, handkerchiefs—every other day for two weeks in the bitter December weather.

From Flamsted quarries by G. Patrick Nelson

Anticipating my coming she had ordered dinner, and this was presently delivered by a deaf-and-dumb mechanical servant, and we set it forth on the dainty dining table.

From City of Endless Night by Milo M. (Milo Milton) Hastings

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