1. A heavy timber, block, or anchor buried in the ground to provide a fixed point for securing cables, ropes, or guy-wires.
Usage: construction; engineering
2. A device or mechanism that stops or prevents motion when released or when a person is incapacitated.
Usage: technical; safety equipment

Examples

• The construction crew buried a deadman in the ground to anchor the tent cables.
• The excavator operator relied on the deadman switch to stop the machine if he lost consciousness.
• Engineers installed a deadman to secure the guy-wires on the transmission tower.
• The deadman was positioned deep enough to withstand the tension from the cable.
• Safety regulations require a deadman mechanism on all heavy machinery in the warehouse.