- deadman
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/ded"man', -meuhn/, n., pl. deadmen /-men', -meuhn/, adj.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. Naut.a. an object fixed on shore to hold a mooring line temporarily.b. a rope for hauling the boom of a derrick inboard after discharge of a load of cargo.adj.4. Also, dead-man's. Mach., Auto. of or pertaining 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.[DEAD + MAN1]
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Universalium. 2010.