dumbness

== English == === Alternative forms === dumbnesse (obsolete) === Etymology === From Middle English dombenesse, from Old English dumbnes; equivalent to dumb +‎ -ness. Cognate with Old Frisian dumbnisse (“folly, dumbness”). === Noun === dumbness (usually uncountable, plural dumbnesses) (dated, now offensive) The state of being mute: that is, of not communicating vocally, whether from selective mutism (refusal to speak) or from an inability to speak. (dated) Muteness, silence; abstention from speech. (dated) Show or gesture without words; pantomime; dumb-show. (informal) The quality of being stupid or foolish. ==== Usage notes ==== The words ‘dumb’ and ‘dumbness’ to describe a person who lacks the ability to speak are now usually considered offensive, because it can also mean ‘stupid’, especially in American English. Many people now prefer the term ‘speech impaired’ or ‘speech impairment’. ==== Synonyms ==== dumbhood ==== Derived terms ==== artificial dumbness ==== Related terms ==== dumb dumb-show ==== Translations ====