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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

deadening \dead"en*ing\ adj. [p. pr. of verb {deaden}[3].]
Rendering less lively, intense, or vigorous; as, the
deadening effect of some routine tasks.
[WordNet 1.5]

2. So lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness; as,
the deadening effect of some routine tasks.

Syn: boring, dreary, ho-hum, irksome, tedious, tiresome,
wearisome.
[WordNet 1.5]


Deaden \Dead"en\ (d[e^]d"'n), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Deadened}
(d[e^]d"'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.
[1913 Webster]

As harper lays his open palm
Upon his harp, to deaden its vibrations.
--Longfellow.
[1913 Webster]

2. To lessen the velocity or momentum of; to retard; as, to
deaden a ship's headway.
[1913 Webster]

3. To make vapid or spiritless; as, to deaden wine.
[1913 Webster]

4. To deprive of gloss or brilliancy; to obscure; as, to
deaden gilding by a coat of size.
[1913 Webster]

5. To render impervious to sound, as a wall or floor; to
deafen.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]


deadening \dead"en*ing\ n.
The act of making something futile and useless (as by
routine).

Syn: stultification, impairment.
[WordNet 1.5]