deadener (dedner)

A person or thing that deadens, dulls, checks, or repre es. Incumbrances and deadeners of the harmony. Landor. deadening (ded'n-ing), n. [Verbal n. of dead en , v. Cf. D. doodening .] 1. A device or material employed to deaden or render dull. Specifically-(a) A device preventing the transmi ion of sound, as from one part of a building to another. (b) A thin wash of glue spread over gilding to reduce the specular reflection, or any roughening of a decorative surface to destroy the reflection of light. When the deadening is laid on the gla , the figures must be engraved or etched with a pointed instrument made of wood, bone, or ivory. Workshop Receipts , 1st ser., p. 57. 2. A tract of land on which the trees have been killed by girdling. [Western U. S.] deadeye (ded'i), n. Naut., a round, laterally flattened wooden block, encircled by a rope or an iron band, and pierced with three holes to re ceive the lanyard, used to extend the shrouds and stays, and for other purposes. deadfall (ded'fâl), n. 1. A trap in which a weight is arranged to fall upon and crush the prey, used for large game. It is commonly formed of two heavy logs, one lying on the ground, and the other rising in a sloping direction, and upheld in this position by a contrivance of insecure props. The game, in order to get at the bait, has to pa under the sloping log, and in doing so is compelled to knock away the props, when the raised log falls and secures it. Front and Side Views of Deadeye. IMG:content-2100.png:[blocks in formation] 4. A low drinking or gaming-place. [Western U. S.]