dumbness

English

noun
Definitions
  • The state of being dumb or mute: that is, of not communicating vocally, whether from selective mutism (refusal to speak) or from an inability to speak.
  • Muteness, silence; abstention from speech.
  • Show or gesture without words; pantomime; dumb-show.
  • (informal) The quality of being stupid or foolish.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English dombenesse inherited from Old English dumbnes suffix from English dumb (unable to speak).

Origin

English

dumb

Gloss

unable to speak

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms