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.

---

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

---

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

Oaths and loud laughter, shouts, whoops, and grumblings, mingled with Forsythe's angry voice of command, came down to him through the open deadlight.

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

It was hot in the room, and rather dark, as the deadlight to the poop-deck was fogged by sea water.

From Isle o' Dreams by Coleman, Ralph P. (Ralph Pallen)

As the deadlight had been closed over the port, the state-room was illumined only by a gray half-gloom from the cabin.

From The Harbor Master by Roberts, Theodore Goodridge

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

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