The phrase "more stone deaf" refers to someone who is extremely deaf and unable to hear any sounds at all. The spelling of "stone" in this phrase is based on the pronunciation of the word, which uses the long vowel sound /oʊ/ and the consonant cluster /st/. The IPA phonetic transcription for "stone" is /stoʊn/. The word "deaf" is spelled phonetically as /dɛf/, using the short vowel sound /ɛ/ and the voiceless consonant /f/. Together, the phrase is pronounced as /mɔr stoʊn dɛf/.
"More stone deaf" can be understood as an idiomatic phrase that is used to describe someone who is completely deaf or extremely hard of hearing. It is an intensified version of being "stone deaf," which itself means to be completely unable to hear any sound.
The term "stone" in this context signifies the solidity or hardness associated with a rock or stone. It suggests that the person's inability to hear is so profound that it is as if their ears were made of stone, incapable of perceiving any auditory stimuli.
The addition of "more" amplifies the degree of deafness, emphasizing that the person's hearing impairment surpasses the standard understanding of being stone deaf. Someone who is described as "more stone deaf" is essentially unable to hear any sound whatsoever, making communication extremely challenging or even impossible without the use of alternative methods such as sign language or written communication.
This term is often employed to highlight the severity of a person's hearing loss, emphasizing the profound impact it has on their daily lives and interactions. It serves as a descriptive phrase that conveys the complete or near-complete absence of auditory perception, underlining the extent to which the individual is cut off from the world of sounds.