deafness etymology

Etymology:

  • Middle English: defnes, deafnes
  • Old English: dēafnes
  • Proto-Germanic: *dauwaz
  • Proto-Indo-European: *dʰeuw-

Meaning and Origin:

The word "deafness" comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *dʰeuw-, meaning "to stun, bewilder, make stupid." This root is also related to the following words:

  • English: dazzle, dull
  • Latin: demens (out of one's mind)
  • Greek: thauma (wonder)

In Proto-Germanic, the root *dauwaz evolved into *dēafnes, which referred to a state of being unable to hear. This word was then borrowed into Old English as dēafnes, which later became deafnes in Middle English.

The meaning of "deafness" has remained relatively unchanged over time, referring to the condition of being unable to hear. However, the word has also been used metaphorically to refer to a lack of understanding or receptivity.

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