— deadener , n.
/ded"n/ , v.t.
1. to make less sensitive, active, energetic, or forcible; weaken: to deaden sound; to deaden the senses; to deaden the force of a blow.
2. to lessen the velocity of; retard: to deaden the headway of a ship.
3. to make impervious to sound, as a floor.
v.i.
4. to become dead.
[ 1655-65; DEAD + -EN 1 ]
Syn. 1. blunt, diminish, lessen, numb, dull.