Nearby words
deaerate, deaf, deaf aid, deaf as a post, deaf without speech, deaf-and-dumb, deaf-blind, deaf-mute, deafblind, deafen, deafening
Origin of deaf-and-dumb
1150–1200; Middle English def and doumb
Usage note
See dumb.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for deaf-and-dumb
deaf-and-dumb
/ offensive /
adjective
unable to hear or speak
noun
a deaf person without speech
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Using deaf-and-dumb to refer to people without speech is considered outdated and offensive, and should be avoided.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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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