Dead'en, v. t.
(dĕd'n), v. t. [imp. & p. p. DEADENED; p. pr. & vb. n. DEADENING.] [A. S. dedan, dydan, to kill, put to death, D. dooden, Ger. tödten. See DEAD, n.]
- To impair in vigor, force, or sensibility; to blunt; as, to deaden the force of a ball; to deaden the natural powers or feelings.
- To lessen the velocity or momentum of; to retard; as, to deaden the motion of a ship, or of the wind.
- To make vapid or spiritless; as, to deaden wine or beer.
- To deprive of gloss or brilliancy; as, to deaden gilding by a coat of size.