⚓ A buried anchor 💀 A dead person

deadman

1 9.7

A buried object like a log or concrete block that holds something in place

noun
/ˈdɛdˌmæn/

Specialized

: anclaje

A deadman can be made from a sturdy log or a block of concrete, depending on the project.

Examples

The engineers installed a deadman to stabilize the retaining wall on the hillside.
Many deadmen are placed underground for stability.
To keep the tent secure in strong winds, they buried a deadman deep in the sand.
The deadman was crucial for keeping the structure stable.
In construction, a deadman is often used as an anchor buried in the ground for added stability.
To secure the tent on the windy night, we buried a deadman in the sand as an anchor.
When building the foundation, the engineers decided to use a deadman to enhance the structure's stability.

Synonyms

stake

vsdeadman

167 4.8

A strong post that you put into the ground to mark a place or hold something

is buried and used as an anchor providing stability in construction

Surface Forms

deadman singular

deadmen plural

Morphology

deadman = dead + man (opaque) = dead + man

Although the form is a clear compound of 'dead' and 'man', the engineering sense is a specialized term whose meaning is not recoverable from the component meanings alone.

Etymology

Deadman for an anchor names a buried log or block that holds things steady. A helpful way to remember it is to think of dead as 'not moving' and man as a solid thing, so a hidden, unmoving 'dead man' under the ground keeps walls, tents, or posts in place.