ˈded ə n verb
( deadened ; deadened ; deadening -ed( ə )niŋ ; deadens )
Etymology: dead (I) + -en
transitive verb
1. : to make as if dead : impair in vigor, force, activity, or sensation : blunt
deadened his feelings
deaden a sound
2.
a. : to lessen the velocity or momentum of : retard
deaden a ship's headway
b. : to deprive of gloss or brilliancy : obscure
deaden gilding by a coat of size
c. : to make vapid or spiritless
deaden wine
d. : to render (as a wall) impervious to sound : deafen 3
e. : to convert (metallic mercury) into a gray powder consisting of minute globules (as by shaking with chalk or a fatty oil) — compare flour 3
3.
a. : to deprive of life : kill
b. : to kill (trees) by girdling : clear (land) by thus killing the trees
intransitive verb
: to become dead : to lose life, force, or vigor