Definition of "deaf"

Come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf.

1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Iulius Cæsar”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act I, scene ii]

Deaf with the noyſe I took my haſty flight.

1665, John Dryden, The Indian Emperour […]‎, London: Printed by J.M. for H. Herringman, published 1667, Act I, scene ii, page 6

O, that men's ears should be / To counsel deaf, but not to flattery!

c. 1605–1608, William Shakespeare, “The Life of Tymon of Athens”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act I, scene ii]

The best place to fight Hollywood deafism is in our deaf schools. If we give our children understanding and appreciation of our rich culture and sign language, the students will gain a deaf heritage and become more creative, more aware, and more assertive global deaf citizens.

1994, Bruce N. Snider, Carol Erting, Robert C. Johnson, The Deaf Way, page 734

A deaf murmur through the squadron went.

1717, John Dryden [et al.], “(please specify |book=I to XV)”, in Ovid’s Metamorphoses in Fifteen Books. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […]

If the season be unkindly and intemperate, they [peppers] will catch a blast; and then the seeds will be deafe, void, light, and naught.

1601, C[aius] Plinius Secundus [i.e., Pliny the Elder], “(please specify |book=I to XXXVII)”, in Philemon Holland, transl., The Historie of the World. Commonly Called, The Naturall Historie of C. Plinius Secundus. […], (please specify |tome=1 or 2), London: […] Adam Islip, published 1635

Among the second group of philanthropic educational institutions the institutes for the deafs and dumbs must be mentioned.

1897, József Jekelfalussy, The Millennium of Hungary and Its People‎, page 347

Negotiations for South Vietnam's political future and the enforcement of cease-fire between two sides progressed like a conversation between two deafs.

1980, Cao Van Vien, Van Khuyen Dong, Reflections on the Vietnam War‎

"I work with the blind mostly. Some deafs too," I told her.

2014, Chelsea Handler, My Horizontal Life‎

Two deafs did not always make deaf babies.

2015, Judith Richards, The Sounds of Silence‎

It is enough, my hearing shall be punish'd With what shall happen, -- 'gainst the which there is No deafing -- but to hear, not taint mine eye With dread sights that it may shun.

1634, John Fletcher, William Shakespeare, Two Noble Kinsmen

Swift as a Whirl-wind to the Nurſe he flies; / And deafs his ſtormy Subjects with his cries.

1681, John Dryden, “Canace to Macareus”, in Ovid, Ovid’s Epistles, […], 2nd edition, London: […] Jacob Tonson […], page 13

Shall we, I say, that have been so long civil and wealthy in peace, famous and invincible in war, fortunate in both, we that have been ever able to aid any of our neighbours (but never deafed any of their ears with any of our supplications for assistance) shall we, I say, without blushing, abase ourselves so far, as to imitate these beastly Indians, slaves to the Spaniards, refuse to the world, and as yet aliens from the holy covenant of God?

1871, Charlse Hindlley, A Kicksey Winsey: Or a Lerry Come-Twang