GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 3 definitions

1.       
   Deaden (dĕdˈ'n), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deadened (dĕdˈ'nd); p. pr. & vb. n. Deadening.] [From Dead; cf. AS. ddan to kill, put to death. See Dead, a.]
   1. To make as dead; to impair in vigor, force, activity, or sensation; to lessen the force or acuteness of; to blunt; as, “to deaden the natural powers or feelings; to deaden a sound.”
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   
   
   As harper lays his open palm
   
   Upon his harp, to deaden its vibrations. Longfellow.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   
   2. To lessen the velocity or momentum of; to retard; as, “to deaden a ship's headway”.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   
   3. To make vapid or spiritless; as, “to deaden wine”.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   
   4. To deprive of gloss or brilliancy; to obscure; as, “to deaden gilding by a coat of size”.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   
   5. To render impervious to sound, as a wall or floor; to deafen.
   
   [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
   
   
         
       

2.       
   deadening adj.  [p. pr. of verb deaden3.] Rendering less lively, intense, or vigorous; as, “the deadening effect of some routine tasks”.
   
   [WordNet 1.5]
   
   
   2.  So lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness; as, “the deadening effect of some routine tasks”.
   
   Syn. -- boring, dreary, ho-hum, irksome, tedious, tiresome, wearisome.
   
   [WordNet 1.5]
   
   
         
       

3.       
   deadening n. The act of making something futile and useless (as by routine).
   
   Syn. -- stultification, impairment.
   
   [WordNet 1.5]