Where does “deafening” come from?
Deafening derives from English deafen, formed by adding the English suffix -en to English deaf, which comes from Old English deaf, ultimately from Proto-Germanic jainaz meaning "dull" or "insensible."
deafening (English): Loud enough to cause temporary or permanent...
Definitions
- Loud enough to cause temporary or permanent...
Ancestry of “deafening”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | deafen | To make deaf, either temporarily or permanently;... |
| 2 | English | Deaf | Of or relating to the culture surrounding deaf... |
| 3 | Middle English | def | Deaf; unable to hear |
| 4 | Old English | dēaf | deaf |
| 5 | Proto-West Germanic | daub | stunned; deaf |
| 6 | Proto-Germanic | daubaz | stunned; deaf |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | dʰewbʰ- | deep |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | dʰewh₂- | smoke; mist, haze |