deadlight

American  

[ded-lahyt] / ˈdɛdˌlaɪt /

noun

Nautical.

1. a strong shutter able to be screwed against the interior of a porthole in heavy weather.

2. a thick pane of glass set in the hull or deck to admit light.

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deadlight British  

/ ˈdɛdˌlaɪt /

noun

1. nautical

   1. a bull's-eye let into the deck or hull of a vessel to admit light to a cabin

   2. a shutter of wood or metal for sealing off a porthole or cabin window

2. a skylight designed not to be opened

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Etymology

Origin of deadlight

First recorded in 1720–30; dead + light ¹

Example Sentences

Feast on the details: white gold cowlings and guards, tiny coils to scale of halyards hung on mast cleats, even deadlight prisms of acrylic in the cockpit deck.

From Time Magazine Archive

I heard the cook close the door behind me and bolt it and cover the deadlight with a tin pan.

From The Mutineers by Hawes, Charles Boardman

Then he entered an opposite room—all were unlocked now—from which, slantingly through the deadlight, he saw lights.

From The Wreck of the Titan or, Futility by Robertson, Morgan

Foster remained, moodily staring through the deadlight, while the other two went forward.

From The Wreck of the Titan or, Futility by Robertson, Morgan

"What do you mean by the awash trim, lieutenant?" asked Foster, who was now looking out through the deadlight.

From The Wreck of the Titan or, Futility by Robertson, Morgan