deaden
UK: ˈdedn | US: ˈdedn
vt. to make less intense, sensitive, or lively
vt. to deprive of physical or emotional feeling
vt. to become less intense or vibrant
The word "deaden" combines "dead" (from Old English dēad, meaning "lifeless") with the suffix "-en," which is used to form verbs meaning "to cause to be." This construction follows a common pattern in English where an adjective is transformed into a verb indicating the act of making something possess that quality. For example, "darken" (to make dark) and "soften" (to make soft) follow the same logic. The word "deaden" first appeared in the late 16th century, reflecting the linguistic trend of creating causative verbs from descriptive roots.
The thick curtains helped deaden the noise from the street.
The anesthetic will deaden the pain during the procedure.
Over time, the constant criticism began to deaden her enthusiasm.
The pillow was used to deaden the sound of the gunshot.
His emotional numbness seemed to deaden all his senses.