DEADHEAD

deadhead

(noun) a train or bus or taxi traveling empty

deadhead

(noun) a nonenterprising person who is not paying his way; “the deadheads on the payroll should be eased out as fast as possible”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

deadhead (plural deadheads)

A person either admitted to a theatrical or musical performance without charge, or paid to attend.

An employee of a transportation company, especially a pilot, traveling as a passenger for logistical reasons, for example to return home or travel to their next assignment.

Anyone traveling for free.

A train or truck moved between cities with no passengers or freight, in order to make it available for service.

A person staying at a lodging, such as a hotel or boarding house, without paying rent; freeloader.

A stupid or boring person; dullard.

A tree or tree branch fixed in the bottom of a river or other navigable body of water, partially submerged or rising nearly the surface, by which boats are sometimes pierced and sunk; snag.

(slang) Driftwood.

(slang) A fan of the rock band the Grateful Dead (usually Deadhead).

(slang) A zombie.

Verb

deadhead (third-person singular simple present deadheads, present participle deadheading, simple past and past participle deadheaded)

(transitive) To admit to a performance without charge.

(intransitive) To travel as a deadhead, or non-paying passenger.

(transitive, intransitive) To drive an empty vehicle.

(transitive) To send (a person or message) for free.

(transitive) To remove spent or dead blossoms from a plant.

Etymology

Noun

Deadhead (plural Deadheads)

(slang) A fan of the rock band The Grateful Dead.

Source: Wiktionary


Dead"head`, n.

1. One who receives free tickets for theaters, public conveyances, etc. [Colloq. U. S.]

2. (Naut.)

Definition: A buoy. See under Dead, a.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

11 January 2025

COWBERRY

(noun) low evergreen shrub of high north temperate regions of Europe and Asia and America bearing red edible berries


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Coffee Trivia

Coffee has initially been a food – chewed, not sipped. Early African tribes consume coffee by grinding the berries together, adding some animal fat, and rolling the treats into tiny edible energy balls.

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