deadenv. t.[From Dead; cf. AS. ddan to kill, put to death. See Dead, a.]1. To make as dead; to impair in vigor, force, activity, or sensation; to lessen the force or acuteness of; to blunt; as, to deaden the natural powers or feelings; to deaden a sound.()()As harper lays his open palm
Upon his harp, to deaden its vibrations. (Longfellow.)2. To lessen the velocity or momentum of; to retard; as, to deaden a ship's headway.()3. To make vapid or spiritless; as, to deaden wine.()4. To deprive of gloss or brilliancy; to obscure; as, to deaden gilding by a coat of size.()5. To render impervious to sound, as a wall or floor; to deafen.()