[deaf] adj [ME deef, fr. OE deaf; akin to Gk typhlos blind, typhein to smoke, L fumus smoke--more at fume] (bef. 12c) 1: lacking or deficient in the sense of hearing
2: unwilling to hear or listen: not to be persuaded "was overwrought and ~ to reason" -- deaf.ish adj -- deaf.ly adv -- deaf.ness n