First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1dead
adjective \ˈded\
: no longer alive or living : no longer having life
: not able to feel or move
: very tired
Full Definition of DEAD
1
: deprived of life : no longer alive
2
a (1) : having the appearance of death : deathly <in a dead faint> (2) : lacking power to move, feel, or respond : numb b : very tired c (1) : incapable of being stirred emotionally or intellectually : unresponsive <dead to pity> (2) : grown cold : extinguished <dead coals>
3
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 c : no longer active : extinct 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 (2) : commercially idle or unproductive <dead capital> f : lacking elasticity <a dead tennis ball> g : being out of action or out of use <the phone went dead>; specifically : free from any connection to a source of voltage and free from electric charges h (1) : being out of play <a dead ball> (2) : temporarily forbidden to play or to make a certain play in croquet
5
a : not running or circulating : stagnant <dead water> b : not turning <the dead center of a lathe> c : not imparting motion or power although otherwise functioning <a dead rear axle> d : lacking warmth, vigor, or taste
6
a : absolutely uniform <a dead level> b (1) : unerring (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> d (1) : complete, absolute <a dead silence> (2) : all-out <caught it on the dead run>
7
: devoid of former occupants <dead villages>
— dead·ness 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>
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Origin of DEAD
Middle English deed, from Old English dēad; akin to Old Norse dauthr dead, deyja to die, Old High German tōt dead — more at die
Related to DEAD
Synonym Discussion of DEAD
dead, defunct, deceased, departed, late mean devoid of life. dead applies literally to what is deprived of vital force but is used figuratively of anything that has lost any attribute (as energy, activity, radiance) suggesting life <a dead, listless performance>. defunct stresses cessation of active existence or operation <a defunct television series>. deceased , departed , and late apply to persons who have died recently. deceased is the preferred term in legal use <the estate of the deceased>. departed is used usually as a euphemism <our departed sister>. late is used especially with reference to a person in a specific relation or status <the company's late president>.
2dead
noun
: people who have died
the dead : the state of being dead
: the time in the middle of the night or winter
plural dead
Full Definition of DEAD
1
: one that is dead —usually used collectively
2
: the state of being dead <raised him from the dead — Colossians 2:12(Revised Standard Version)>
3
: the time of greatest quiet <the dead of night>
See dead defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of DEAD
before 12th century
Related to DEAD
- Synonyms
- death, deadness, grave, lifelessness, nothingness, sleep
3dead
adverb
: completely or totally
: in a sudden and complete way
: directly or exactly
Full Definition of DEAD
1
: absolutely, utterly <dead certain> <finished dead last>
2
: suddenly and completely <stopped dead>
3
: directly <dead ahead>
See dead defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of DEAD
14th century
Related to DEAD
- Antonyms
- indirectly
DEADNESS Defined for Kids
1dead
adjective \ˈded\
Definition of DEAD for Kids
1
: no longer living <… the spider rolled over onto its back, unmarked, but unmistakably dead. — J. K. Rowling, Goblet of Fire>
2
: having the look of death <a dead faint>
3
: 1numb 1
4
: very tired <That was hard work. I'm dead.>
5
: lacking motion, activity, energy, or power to function <a dead battery>
6
: no longer in use <dead languages>
7
: no longer active <a dead volcano>
8
: lacking warmth or vigor <Make sure the fire is dead.>
9
: not lively <This party is dead.>
11
: being sudden and complete <The ride came to a dead stop.>
13
: facing certain punishment <If we get caught, we're dead.>
2dead
noun
plural dead
Definition of DEAD for Kids
1
: a person who is no longer alive Hint:This sense of dead is usually used for all people who are no longer alive. <the living and the dead>
2
: the time of greatest quiet or least activity <the dead of night>
3dead
adverb
Definition of DEAD for Kids
1
: in a whole or complete manner <dead tired>
2
: suddenly and completely <stopped dead>
3
: 2straight 2 <dead ahead>
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