dumbnesses

Noun

dumbness (usually uncountable, plural dumbnesses)

1. (dated, offensive, usually) The state of being mute: that is, of not communicating vocally, whether from selective mutism (refusal to speak) or from an inability to speak.
   • He was a deaf-mute. His dumbness did not seem to matter when we were boys.1944, Emily Carr, “Sissy's Job”, in The House of All Sorts
2. (dated, usually) Muteness, silence; abstention from speech.
   • There was speech in their dumbness.c. 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Winters Tale”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount...
3. (dated, usually) Show or gesture without words; pantomime; dumb-show.
   • To the dumbness of the gesture one might interpret.c. 1605–1608 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Tymon of Athens”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and...
4. (informal, usually) The quality of being stupid or foolish.