Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Deaf-mute
Deaf′-muteˊ
,Noun.
A person who is deaf and dumb; one who, through deprivation or defect of hearing, has either failed the acquire the power of speech, or has lost it.
[See Illust. of
Dactylology
.] Deaf-mutes
are still so called, even when, by artificial methods, they have been taught to speak imperfectly.