deaf and dumb

3 definitions found

deaf and dumb - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  deaf and dumb \deaf and dumb\, deaf-and-dumb \deaf-and-dumb\adj.
     both deaf and unable to speak; without the sense of hearing
     or the faculty of speech. Same as Deaf-mute.
     [1913 Webster +PJC]

  Dumb \Dumb\, a. [AS. dumb; akin to D. dom stupid, dumb, Sw.
     dumb, Goth. dumbs; cf. Gr. ? blind. See Deaf, and cf.
     Dummy.]
     1. Destitute of the power of speech; unable; to utter
        articulate sounds; as, the dumb brutes.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              To unloose the very tongues even of dumb creatures.
                                                    --Hooker.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Not willing to speak; mute; silent; not speaking; not
        accompanied by words; as, dumb show.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              This spirit, dumb to us, will speak to him. --Shak.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              To pierce into the dumb past.         -- J. C.
                                                    Shairp.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. Lacking brightness or clearness, as a color. [R.]
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Her stern was painted of a dumb white or dun color.
                                                    --De Foe.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Deaf and dumb. See Deaf-mute.
  
     Dumb ague, or Dumb chill, a form of intermittent fever
        which has no well-defined "chill." [U.S.]
  
     Dumb animal, any animal except man; -- usually restricted
        to a domestic quadruped; -- so called in contradistinction
        to man, who is a "speaking animal."
  
     Dumb cake, a cake made in silence by girls on St. Mark's
        eve, with certain mystic ceremonies, to discover their
        future husbands. --Halliwell.
  
     Dumb cane (Bot.), a west Indian plant of the Arum family
        (Dieffenbachia seguina), which, when chewed, causes the
        tongue to swell, and destroys temporarily the power of
        speech.
  
     Dumb crambo. See under crambo.
  
     Dumb show.
        (a) Formerly, a part of a dramatic representation, shown
            in pantomime. "Inexplicable dumb shows and noise."
            --Shak.
        (b) Signs and gestures without words; as, to tell a story
            in dumb show.
  
     To strike dumb, to confound; to astonish; to render silent
        by astonishment; or, it may be, to deprive of the power of
        speech.
  
     Syn: Silent; speechless; noiseless. See Mute.
          [1913 Webster]

deaf and dumb - Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856) :

  DEAF AND DUMB. No definition is requisite, as the words are sufficiently 
  known. A person deaf and dumb is doli capax but with such persons who have 
  not been educated, and who cannot communicate, their ideas in writing, a 
  difficulty sometimes arises on the trial. 
       2. A case occurred of a woman, deaf and dumb, who was charged with a 
  crime. She was brought to the bar, and the indictment was then read to her, 
  and the question, in the usual form, was put, guilty or not guilty ? The 
  counsel for the prisoner then rose, and stated that he could not allow his 
  client to plead to the indictment, until it was explained to her that she 
  was at liberty to plead guilty or not guilty. This attempted to be done, but 
  was found impossible, and she was discharged from the bar "simpliciter." 
       3. A person, deaf and dumb, may be examined as a witness, provided he 
  can be sworn, that is, if he is capable of understanding the terms of the 
  oath, and assents to it and if, after he is sworn, he can convey his ideas, 
  with or without an interpreter, to the court and jury. Phil., Ev. 14.