Dead"beat` (?), a. (Physics) Making a beat without recoil; giving indications by a single beat or excursion; -- said of galvanometers and other instruments in which the needle or index moves to the extent of its deflection and stops with little or no further oscillation.
Deadbeat escapement. See under Escapement.
Dead"born` (?), a. Stillborn. Pope.
Dead"en (dd"'n), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deadened (-'nd); p. pr. & vb. n. Deadening.] [From Dead; cf. AS. d&?;dan to kill, put to death. See Dead, a.] 1. To make as dead; to impair in vigor, force, activity, or sensation; to lessen the force or acuteness of; to blunt; as, to deaden the natural powers or feelings; to deaden a sound.
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As harper lays his open palm
Upon his harp, to deaden its vibrations.
Longfellow.
2. To lessen the velocity or momentum of; to retard; as, to deaden a ship's headway.