Definition of "deaness" [deaness]

• A female dean (head of a university faculty) (noun)

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• "The abbess of Quedlingberg, who with the four great dignitaries of her chapter, the prioress, the deaness, the sub-chantress, and senior canonness, had that week come to Strasburg to consult the university upon a case of conscience relating to their placket - holes — was ill all the night."
• "The abbess of Quedlingberg, who with the four great dignitaries of her chapter, the prioress, the deaness, the sub-chantress, and senior canonness, had that week come to Strasburg to consult the university upon a case of conscience relating to their placket-holes — was ill all the night."
• "Fancy little Miss Butterfly a rural deaness! the notion's too ridiculous."