Deafness Meaning
/ˈdɛfnəs/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounThe condition of being deaf; the lack or loss of the ability to hear.
nounLack of knowledge or refusal to admit a particular problem, issue, etc.
Sentence Examples
There is no deafness worse than that of a person who doesn't want to hear.
CEFR Practice Quiz
His ____ was so severe that he could not hear the doorbell.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
There is no ____ worse than that of a person who doesn't want to hear.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English deefnesse; equivalent to deaf + -ness.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Paul wet his lips with his tongue, read: “ ‘Think you of I the fact that a deaf person cannot hear. Then, what deafness may we not all possess? What senses do we lack that we cannot see and cannot hear another world all around us? What is there around us that we cannot—’ ”"
— 1965 October 1, Frank Herbert, “Book I: Dune”, in Dune, Philadelphia, Pa.: Chilton Book Company; [Toronto], Ont.: Thomas Nelson & Sons, →OCLC, page 40:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
His ____ was so severe that he could not hear the doorbell.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
There is no ____ worse than that of a person who doesn't want to hear.