dead weight

  • 1Dead weight — Dead Dead (d[e^]d), a. [OE. ded, dead, deed, AS. de[ a]d; akin to OS. d[=o]d, D. dood, G. todt, tot, Icel. dau[eth]r, Sw. & Dan. d[ o]d, Goth. daubs; prop. p. p. of an old verb meaning to die. See {Die}, and cf. {Death}.] 1. Deprived of life;… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 2Dead weight — Weight Weight, n. [OE. weght, wight, AS. gewiht; akin to D. gewigt, G. gewicht, Icel. v[ae]tt, Sw. vigt, Dan. v[ae]gt. See {Weigh}, v. t.] [1913 Webster] 1. The quality of being heavy; that property of bodies by which they tend toward the center… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 3dead weight — dead weights 1) N COUNT A dead weight is a load which is surprisingly heavy and difficult to lift. He hoisted the dead weight over his shoulder. 2) N COUNT: usu sing You can refer to something that makes change or progress difficult as a dead… …

    English dictionary

  • 4dead weight — dead′ weight′ or dead′weight′ n. 1) the heavy, unrelieved weight of anything inert 2) a heavy burden or responsibility • Etymology: 1650–60 …

    From formal English to slang

  • 5dead weight — n. 1. the weight of an inert person or thing 2. a heavy or oppressive burden 3. the weight of a vehicle without a load 4. DEAD LOAD …

    English World dictionary

  • 6dead-weight — deadˈ weightˈ noun 1. Unrelieved weight 2. Heavy and oppressive burden 3. Difference in a ship s displacement loaded and light • • • Main Entry: ↑dead …

    Useful english dictionary

  • 7dead weight — noun 1. ) count something that is very heavy and difficult to lift or carry a ) someone who cannot be lifted easily because they are sleeping, unconscious, or dead 2. ) singular something that makes it difficult for development, progress, or… …

    Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • 8dead weight — UK / US noun Word forms dead weight : singular dead weight plural dead weights 1) a) [countable] something that is very heavy and difficult to lift or carry b) someone who cannot be lifted easily because they are sleeping, unconscious, or dead 2) …

    English dictionary

  • 9dead weight — 1. the heavy, unrelieved weight of anything inert: The dead weight of the bear s body was over 300 pounds. 2. a heavy or oppressive burden or responsibility. 3. the weight of a railroad car, truck, etc., as distinct from its load or contents.… …

    Universalium

  • 10dead weight — noun a) unremitting heavy weight that does not move She wants to shed the dead weight of so many stacks of old clutter. b) that which is useless or excess; that which slows something down …

    Wiktionary