deaf-mutism n congenital deafness that results in inability to speak Usage(s) But so-called congenital deaf-mutism is actually a misnomer because inborn defects of the vocal cords that make speech impossible are almost unknown. Scarcely a finger was crooked concerning the causes of deaf-mutism (chiefly whooping cough, scarlet fever, various types of meningitis, severe falls). Synonym(s) deaf-muteness