■ adjective
1》 unable to speak, typically because of congenital deafness.
↘(of animals) unable to speak as a natural state.
↘temporarily unable or unwilling to speak.
2》 informal, chiefly N. Amer. stupid.
3》 (of a computer terminal) having no independent processing capability.
■ verb
1》 ( ~ something down or ~ down ) informal make or become less intellectually challenging.
2》 literary make silent.
Derivatives
~ly adverb
~ness noun
Origin
OE, of Gmc origin.
Usage
In the sense meaning ‘not able to speak’, ~ has been overwhelmed by the sense ‘stupid’ to such an extent that the use of the first sense is now almost certain to cause offence. Alternatives such as speech-impaired should be used instead.