dumb a EDD ~ 1 (2) ~ cake.
   Comb dumb arrow: arrow pointed at the tip but without a barbed head.
   1915 HOWLEY 270 [The Beothuks] sometimes used 'dumb arrows,' all of wood, without any iron point, which by reason of their lightness fell short when fired off, thus leading the fishermen to believe they could approach nearer without running any risk, but when they did so they were met with a shower of well pointed and heavier arrows.
   dumb cake: cake mixed, baked and eaten in silence by young unmarried women wishing for a vision of future husbands.
   P 127-75 As a form of community entertainment unmarried females, young or old, would gather at an individual's home to assist in baking a cake. During the making of the cake and until it was completely consumed (this could be a matter of hours or days) the participants could not speak—hence a dumb cake.
   dumb line: one of the ropes used to raise the cod-trap 'door' before the trap is hauled to the surface.
   T 194/5-65 The boys put the dumb lines to the capstans and hove 'em out.

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