deaf-mute

deaf-mute (not comparable)

1. (now offensive) Unable to hear or speak.

   Synonym: deaf

Note that individuals formerly called deaf-mute are rarely actually unable to speak and hence are merely deaf. The inability to speak is related to either choice or the unavailability of educational resources for the deaf. Thus, the preferred term now is simply deaf.

• deaf and dumb (now offensive or literary)

deaf-mute (plural deaf-mutes)

1. (now offensive) A person who is unable to hear or speak.

   Synonym: deaf person

   • 1959 September, K. Hoole, “The Middlesbrough-Newcastle route of the N.E.R.: Part Two”, in Trains Illustrated, page 417:

     This buckling was first noticed by a deaf-mute who was walking over a bridge across the line and he pointed it out to the driver of a steamroller which happened to be passing.

   • 1974 April 20, “Beacon Hill Murder”, in Gay Community News, page 1:

     Andrew was studying to become a teacher of deaf-mutes.

Note that individuals formerly called deaf-mutes are rarely actually unable to speak and hence are merely deaf. The inability to speak is related to either choice or the unavailability of educational resources. Thus, the preferred term now is simply deaf person.

• blind
• deaf
• mute

• “deaf-mute”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.

• fume date