deadman

[ ded-man, -muh n ]
/ ˈdɛdˌmæn, -mən /

noun, plural dead·men [ded-men, -muh n] /ˈdɛdˌmɛn, -mən/.

Building Trades. a log, concrete block, etc., buried in the ground as an anchor.
a crutchlike prop temporarily supporting a pole or mast being erected.
Nautical.
  1. an object fixed on shore to hold a mooring line temporarily.
  2. a rope for hauling the boom of a derrick inboard after discharge of a load of cargo.

adjective

Also dead-man's. Machinery, Automotive. of or relating 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.

Origin of deadman

British Dictionary definitions for dead man

deadman
/ (ˈdɛdˌmæn) /

noun plural -men

civil engineering a heavy plate, wall, or block buried in the ground that acts as an anchor for a retaining wall, sheet pile, etc, by a tie connecting the two
mountaineering a metal plate with a wire loop attached for thrusting into firm snow to serve as a belay point, a smaller version being known as a deadboy

Idioms and Phrases with dead man

dead man

see dead soldier.