deadwood

American  

[ded-wood] / ˈdɛdˌwʊd /

noun

1. the dead branches on a tree; dead branches or trees.

2. useless or burdensome persons or things.

   He cut the deadwood from his staff.

3. (in writing) unnecessary words, phrases, or exposition; expendable verbiage.

   This could be a thoughtful and incisive essay if you get rid of the deadwood.

4. Nautical. a solid construction, serving only as reinforcement, located between the keel of a vessel and the stem or sternpost.

5. Bowling. pins remaining on the alley after having been knocked down by the ball.

6. Cards.

   1. Rummy. cards in a hand that have not been included in sets and are usually counted as points against the holder.

   2. Poker. cards that have been discarded.

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deadwood British  

/ ˈdɛdˌwʊd /

noun

1. dead trees or branches

2. informal a useless person; encumbrance

3. nautical a filler piece between the keel and the stern of a wooden vessel

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Etymology

Origin of deadwood

First recorded in 1720–30; dead + wood ¹

Example Sentences

The second season of DEADWOOD, which ran from March through June this year, inspired critical raves, with the New York Times calling it "absorbing and addictive."

From Time Magazine Archive

Related Words

• unnecessary