Defn: The condition of being a deaf-mute.
DEAFNESS
Deaf"ness, n.
1. Incapacity of perceiving sounds; the state of the organs which prevents the impression which constitute hearing; want of the sense of hearing.
2. Unwillingness to hear; voluntary rejection of what is addressed to the understanding. Nervous deafness, a variety of deafness dependent upon morbid change in some portion of the nervous system, especially the auditory nerve.
DEAL Deal, n. Etym: [OE. del, deel, part, AS. d; akin to OS. d, D. & Dan. deel, G. theil, teil, Icel. deild, Sw. del, Goth. dails. Dole.]
1. A part or portion; a share; hence, an indefinite quantity, degree, or extent, degree, or extent; as, a deal of time and trouble; a deal of cold. Three tenth deals [parts of an ephah] of flour. Num. xv. 9. As an object of science it [the Celtic genius] may count for a good deal . . . as a spiritual power. M. Arnold. She was resolved to be a good deal more circumspect. W. Black.
Note: It was formerly limited by some, every, never a, a thousand, etc.; as, some deal; but these are now obsolete or vulgar. In general, we now qualify the word with great or good, and often use it adverbially, by being understood; as, a great deal of time and pains; a great (or good) deal better or worse; that is, better by a great deal, or by a great part or difference.
2. The process of dealing cards to the players; also, the portion disturbed. The deal, the shuffle, and the cut. Swift.
3. Distribution; apportionment. [Colloq.]
4. An arrangement to attain a desired result by a combination of interested parties; — applied to stock speculations and political bargains. [Slang]