Do you guess how many interpretations the word “deaf” has? This is a multi-valued adjective. It has several interpretations that you should definitely learn. For this we will use an explanatory dictionary. So, the adjective deaf has the following meanings.
The one that can not hear
This is how they characterize a person who is unable to perceive sound waves. He is hearingless:
- It is hard for a deaf person to get an education.
- Deaf people are forced to use hearing aids.
Indifferent to anything, calm
It is worth noting that this is the figurative meaning of the word “deaf”. Thus, it is possible to describe an unresponsive person who does not favor the opinion of outsiders:
- Officials remained deaf to our requests.
- You can not be deaf to someone else's grief.
Not too loud, unclear in sound
A bag of potatoes that fell to the ground has just that kind of sound. That is, not sonorous and distinct, but slurred:
- Suddenly we heard a thud at the door.
- In the dark, the thuds of my heart were heard.
Hidden, implicit
Sometimes a person may experience some feelings, but he hides them deeply so that they are not visible to others. The same meaning is suitable for describing something hidden, for example, resentment or discontent:
- There was a kind of dull excitement in the crowd, which would be about to pour out if not for the dense ring of protection.
- A dull discontent bubbled in his soul, which, however, he skillfully concealed from prying eyes.
Not too crowded, calm
Deaf - this is without crowds of people, quiet and secluded. So you can characterize a street with rare pedestrians and cars, an alley steeped in silence. Or time out of season. For example:
- Summer in the mountains is a dead time, since there are no tourists, no one is skiing.
- We suddenly found ourselves in a dull street, in which there was scanty lighting.
- After the holidays, the dead time has come, no one wanders around the entertainment venues, everyone is resting at home.
Without any gaps
In other words, it is continuous. If you wander deep into the forest, then you plunge into continuous thickets, where the sun rarely falls. The same characteristic is inherent in a blank wall. This is a solid building with no windows:
- Suddenly deaf thickets gave way to a sunny meadow.
- The windows overlooked the blank wall of the building opposite.
Phonetic term
The word deaf is found in phonetics. This is a characteristic of a sound that must be made without voice:
- Guys, can you name all the deaf consonants?
- You are making a muffled sound incorrectly.
The word deaf has these meanings. Now you can use this adjective without any difficulties.