deadfall

American  

[ded-fawl] / ˈdɛdˌfɔl /

noun

1. a trap, especially for large game, in which a weight falls on and crushes the prey.

2. a mass of brush and fallen fall trees.

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deadfall British  

/ ˈdɛdˌfɔːl /

noun

1. Also called: downfall.  a type of trap, used esp for catching large animals, in which a heavy weight falls to crush the prey

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Etymology

Origin of deadfall

First recorded in 1605–15; dead + fall

Example Sentences

First, though, he would use one of the carcasses to bait a deadfall, in the hope of trapping something to eat overnight.

From Literature

He’d just finished when the cub trotted over and gave the deadfall an inquisitive sniff.

From Literature

Near Brown’s fountain, Echo Park artist Hoehn will present “Deadfall,” a massive fallen fig tree embedded with carved cheerleader legs and skirts — imagery drawn from her Texas upbringing.

From Los Angeles Times

Two hours drive away, we reach the Deadfall Hills.

From BBC

Deadfall is a particularly thorny problem, and the club’s latter-day lumberjacks head out with chain saws in tow to remove trees upward of 4 feet in diameter.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• danger
• difficulty
• drawback
• peril
• risk
• snag