Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DEAD'EN, v.t. [ded'n; D. dooden; G. tödten.]

1. To deprive of a portion of vigor, force or sensation; to abate vision or action; as, to deaden the force of a ball; to deaden the natural powers or feelings.
2. To blunt; to render less susceptible or feeling; as, to deaden the senses.
3. To retard; to lessen velocity or motion; as, to deaden the motion of a ship or of the wind.
4. To diminish spirit; to make vapid or spiritless; as, to deaden wine or beer.