Definition of the word deaf

The word "deaf" has its roots in Old English, dating back to around the 9th century. The etymology of the word is complex, but it's believed to be derived from the Proto-Germanic word "dauiz", which was also the source of the Modern German word "taub", meaning "deaf". In Old English, the word "deaf" was spelled "deaf" or "dæf", and it was used to describe someone who was unable to hear. The word was likely coined from the Proto-Germanic word "dauiz", which is thought to have been related to the idea of "dumbness" or "silence". Over time, the spelling of the word evolved to its modern form, and its meaning expanded to include not only the sense of hearing but also the cultural and social aspects of deafness.