deadman

[ ded-man, -muhn ]

noun

, plural dead·men [ded, -men, -m, uh, n].

1. Building Trades. a log, concrete block, etc., buried in the ground as an anchor.
2. a crutchlike prop temporarily supporting a pole or mast being erected.
3. Nautical.
   1. an object fixed on shore to hold a mooring line temporarily.
   2. a rope for hauling the boom of a derrick inboard after discharge of a load of cargo.

adjective

1. Also dead-man's. Machinery, Automotive. of or relating to a control or switch on a powered machine or vehicle that disengages a blade or clutch, applies the brake, shuts off the engine, etc., when the driver or operator ceases to press a pedal, squeeze a throttle, etc.:

   deadman throttle; dead-man's control.

deadman

/ ˈdɛdˌmæn /

noun

1. civil engineering a heavy plate, wall, or block buried in the ground that acts as an anchor for a retaining wall, sheet pile, etc, by a tie connecting the two
2. mountaineering a metal plate with a wire loop attached for thrusting into firm snow to serve as a belay point, a smaller version being known as a deadboy

Word History and Origins

Origin of deadman¹

dead + man

Example Sentences

Yes, but the dark Justice League—with Swamp Thing, Etrigan, Constantine, Deadman, and others.

From The Daily Beast

It came from the vast concave of Deadman's Bay, rising and falling against the pebble dyke.

From Project Gutenberg

At the very commencement of the gold-rush a hole had been sunk in Deadman's Flat, and soon afterwards deserted.

From Project Gutenberg

The miners in the locality would cluster round the hole, which they prophesied would be the richest on Deadman's Flat.

From Project Gutenberg

The miners on Deadman's Flat were jubilant, not to say uproarious.

From Project Gutenberg

And Deadman Draw, in between, bears due west and heap down, short and sweet.

From Project Gutenberg