v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Deadened p. pr. & vb. n. Deadening. ] [ From Dead; cf. AS. d&unr_;dan to kill, put to death. See Dead, a. ] 1. To make as dead; to impair in vigor, force, activity, or sensation; to lessen the force or acuteness of; to blunt; as, to deaden the natural powers or feelings; to deaden a sound. [ 1913 Webster ]
As harper lays his open palm
Upon his harp, to deaden its vibrations. Longfellow. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. To lessen the velocity or momentum of; to retard; as, to deaden a ship's headway. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. To make vapid or spiritless; as, to deaden wine. [ 1913 Webster ]
4. To deprive of gloss or brilliancy; to obscure; as, to deaden gilding by a coat of size. [ 1913 Webster ]
5. To render impervious to sound, as a wall or floor; to deafen. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]