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dumbness
1 a: lacking the human power of speech <dumb animals> bof a person often offensive : lacking the ability to speak2: temporarily unable to speak (as from shock or astonishment) <struck dumb with fear>3: not expressed in uttered words <dumb grief>4: silent
; also : taciturn5: lacking some usual attribute or accompaniment
; especially : having no means of self-propulsion <a dumb barge>6 a: lacking intelligence : stupid b: showing a lack of intelligence <asking dumb questions> c: requiring no intelligence <dumb luck>7: not having the capability to process data <a dumb terminal>
— compare intelligent 3a
synonyms see stupid
— dumb·ly
\ˈdəm-lē\
adverb
— dumb·ness noun
usage There is evidence that, when applied to persons who cannot speak, dumb has come to be considered offensive.
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