Middle English Dictionary Entry

dǒmb, dǒumb adj.
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Entry Info

Forms dǒmb, dǒumb adj. Also dumb, domp(e, doumpe, dom(me, dome, dum & doump, doum(e, doom. Pl. (early) dumben.
Etymology OE dumb

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1.
(a) Of persons: lacking the ability to speak; mute; deaf and dumb; -- also said of the mouth; (b) as noun: one who is unable to speak; a deaf-mute; fig. the written word, the Scripture.
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2.
Speechless, dumbfounded (as from fear or grief).
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3.
(a) Failing to speak or to respond, avoiding speech, reticent; silent, still; (b) failing to preach, silent (about the gospel); (c) failing to claim (sth.), modest; -- in proverb.
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4.
(a) Lacking feeling or comprehension; unmoved, unenlightened; stupid; ~ of dome, lacking in judgment; (b) unoccupied, idle.
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5.
Of animals: (a) lacking speech, and hence also enlightenment or sophistication; ~ bestes; (b) incapable of making a noise; (c) silent; ~ dogge, a dog that does not bark; also fig.
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6.
(a) Of things: silent, mute; of idols: mute, dead, impotent; (b) in comparisons: ~ as ston (deth, dore, dore-nail, tre), mute as a stone, etc.; (c) of an institution: lacking a voice, silenced; (d) of a book: unrevealing, unintelligible.
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7.
(a) ~ netle, wild hemp (Eupatorium cannabinum); (b) ~ sed, a potion containing the (?narcotic) seed of some plant.
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