deafen
oxford
views updated May 18 2018deaf·en / ˈdefən/ •
v. [tr.] (usu. be deafened) cause (someone) to lose the power of hearing permanently or temporarily. ∎ (of a loud noise) overwhelm (someone) with sound. ∎ (deafen someone to) (of a sound) cause someone to be unaware of (other sounds).
The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English