dumb adj
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dumb — adj 1 Dumb, mute, speechless, inarticulate mean lacking the power to speak. Dumb and mute are often used interchangeably, but when used in distinction from each other, dumb implies an incapacity for speech (as in the case of animals and inanimate … New Dictionary of Synonyms
dumb — (adj.) O.E. dumb silent, unable to speak, from PIE *dheubh confusion, stupefaction, dizziness, from root *dheu (1) dust, mist, vapor, smoke, and related notions of defective perception or wits. The Old English, Old Saxon (dumb), Gothic (dumbs),… … Etymology dictionary
dumb´ness — dumb «duhm», adjective, verb. –adj. 1. not able to speak: »dumb animals. Helen Keller learned to speak; she was blind and deaf but not dumb. 2. silenced for the moment by fear, surprise, shyness, or other emotion: »She was struck dumb with… … Useful english dictionary
dumb´ly — dumb «duhm», adjective, verb. –adj. 1. not able to speak: »dumb animals. Helen Keller learned to speak; she was blind and deaf but not dumb. 2. silenced for the moment by fear, surprise, shyness, or other emotion: »She was struck dumb with… … Useful english dictionary
dumb — adj. 1 a (of a person) unable to speak, usu. because of a congenital defect or deafness. b (of an animal) naturally unable to speak (our dumb friends). 2 silenced by surprise, shyness, etc. (struck dumb by this revelation). 3 taciturn or reticent … Useful english dictionary
dumb — adj. 1 unable to speak VERBS ▪ be ▪ become, be struck ▪ They were struck dumb with amazement. PREPOSITION ▪ with … Collocations dictionary
dumb — adj. (colloq.) (esp. AE) stupid 1) to play dumb 2) dumb to + inf. (it was dumb of you to say that) * * * [dʌm] (colloq.) (esp. AE) [ stupid ] to play dumb dumb to + inf. (it was dumb of you to say that) … Combinatory dictionary
dumb — dəm adj 1) lacking the human power of speech <dumb animals> 2) of a person often offensive lacking the ability to speak dumb·ly dəm lē adv dumb·ness n … Medical dictionary
dumb show — dumb′ show n. 1) sbz a part of a dramatic representation given in pantomime, common in early English drama 2) gestures without speech • Etymology: 1555–65 dumb′ show , adj … From formal English to slang
dumb — [dum] adj. [ME & OE, akin to Ger dumm (Goth dumbs), mute, stupid < nasalized var. of IE * dheubh < base * dheu : see DULL] 1. lacking the power of speech; mute: now regarded as offensive 2. unwilling to talk; silent 3. not accompanied by… … English World dictionary
