deadhead

English

/ˈdɛdhɛd/

noun
Definitions
  • A person either admitted to a theatrical or musical performance without charge, or paid to attend.
  • An employee of a transportation company, especially a pilot, traveling as a passenger for logistical reasons, for example to return home or travel to their next assignment.
  • Anyone traveling for free.
  • A train or truck moved between cities with no passengers or freight, in order to make it available for service.
  • A person staying at a lodging, such as a hotel or boarding house, without paying rent; freeloader.
  • A stupid or boring person; dullard.
  • A tree or tree branch fixed in the bottom of a river or other navigable body of water, partially submerged or rising nearly the surface, by which boats are sometimes pierced and sunk; snag.
  • (slang) Driftwood.
  • (slang) (alt form) Deadhead
  • (slang) A zombie.

Etymology

Compound from English dead + English head (-hood, noun, hood, foremost, or leading part, topmost, suffix indicating a fan enthusiast).

Origin

English

head

Gloss

-hood, noun, hood, foremost, or leading part, topmost, suffix indicating a fan enthusiast

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms