Look up: Deaf-mute

1. 
   Deaf-mute
   Deaf'-mute` noun A person who is deaf and dumb; one who, through deprivation or defect of hearing, has either failed the acquire the power of speech, or has lost it. [ See Illust. of Dactylology .] « Deaf-mutes are still so called, even when, by artificial methods, they have been taught to speak imperfectly.»
   Found on http://www.encyclo.co.uk/webster/D/10
   
   
2. 
   deaf-mute
   An individual with deafmutism. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...
   Found on http://www.mondofacto.com/facts/dictiona
   
   
3. 
   Deaf-mute
   `Deaf-mute` was a term historically used by hearing people to identify a person who was deaf and could not speak. In the past `deaf-mute` was socially acceptable, usually to describe deaf people who use a signed language, but is now considered offensive (similar to the way that `colored` was once used to describe African Americans but is now looked upon as derogatory). The preferred term today is simply `deaf`. The term `deaf-mute` first appears ...
   Found on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deaf-mute
   
   
4. 
   deaf-mute
   (def-mūt) former term for a person unable to hear or speak; now considered offensive.
   Found on http://www.mercksource.com/pp/us/cns/cns
   
   
5. 
   Deaf-mute
   • (n.) A person who is deaf and dumb; one who, through deprivation or defect of hearing, has either failed the acquire the power of speech, or has lost it.
   Found on http://thinkexist.com/dictionary/meaning