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deadman. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
deadman, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
deadman in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
deadman you have here. The definition of the word
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English
Etymology
From dead + man. In the sense referring to a safety switch, the notion of an operator who is dead is the figurative archetype representing any incapacitation, absence, or inattention. See also Dead Hand in that regard.
Noun
deadman (plural deadmen)
- (obsolete) A corpse
There is no deadman to be found at Deadman's Curve.
- (construction) A long object, often a timber or log, buried to serve as an anchor for a wall or for stays.
The building code requires deadmen for retaining walls.
- (rail transport, manufacturing, agriculture, safety equipment) A cutout device that operates in the event that an operator releases the control handles, leaves the operator's seat, or otherwise seems to be no longer present and alert.
- Synonym: dead man's switch
1962 April, “Beyond the Channel: Western Germany: The Henschel 4,000 h.p. V320 diesel”, in Modern Railways, page 274:[...] a Brown-Boveri deadman's control; [...].
Derived terms
Translations
a long object, often a timber or log, buried to serve as an anchor for a wall or for stays
cutout device that operates in the event of driver incapacity
— see dead man's switchAnagrams