Definition of dead
1
: deprived of life : no longer alive
- a dead tree
- dead soldiers
- missing and presumed dead
b
: very tired
- Our legs were completely dead after the hike.
c (1)
: incapable of being stirred emotionally or intellectually : unresponsive
- a heart dead to pity
- felt dead inside
(2)
: grown cold : extinguished
- dead coals
4 a (1)
: lacking power or effect
- a dead law
(2)
: no longer having interest, relevance, or significance
- a dead issue
b
: no longer in use : obsolete
- a dead language
c
: no longer active : extinct
- a dead volcano
d
: lacking in gaiety or animation
- a dead party
e (1)
: lacking in commercial activity : quiet
- The city is dead after five o'clock.
(2)
: commercially idle or unproductive
- dead capital
f
: lacking elasticity (see elasticity 1a)
- a dead tennis ball
g
: being out of action or out of use
- The phone went dead.
- a dead electrical circuit
h (1)
sports, games
: being out of play
- a dead ball
(2)
croquet
: temporarily forbidden to play or to make a certain play
5 a
: not running or circulating : stagnant
- dead water
b
: not turning
- the dead center of a lathe
c
mechanical engineering
: not imparting motion or power although otherwise functioning
- a dead rear axle
d
: lacking warmth, vigor, or taste
- The fire was dead.
- a dead wine
6 a
: absolutely uniform
- a dead level of mediocrity
b (1)
: unerring
- a dead shot with a rifle
(2)
: exact
- dead center of the target
(3)
: certain to be doomed
- he's dead if he's late for curfew
(4)
: irrevocable
- a dead loss
c
: abrupt
- brought to a dead stop
7
: devoid of former occupants
- dead villages
—
deadness
noun
—
dead in the water
—
dead to rights
: with no chance of escape or excuse : red-handed
- had him dead to rights for the robbery
—
over one's dead body
: only by overcoming one's utter and determined resistance
- vows that they'll raise his taxes over his dead body
