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.