dead weight

dead weight
a) unremitting heavy weight that does not move

She wants to shed the dead weight of so many stacks of old clutter.

b) that which is useless or excess; that which slows something down

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  • Dead weight — Dead Dead (d[e^]d), a. [OE. ded, dead, deed, AS. de[ a]d; akin to OS. d[=o]d, D. dood, G. todt, tot, Icel. dau[eth]r, Sw. & Dan. d[ o]d, Goth. daubs; prop. p. p. of an old verb meaning to die. See {Die}, and cf. {Death}.] 1. Deprived of life;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Dead weight — Weight Weight, n. [OE. weght, wight, AS. gewiht; akin to D. gewigt, G. gewicht, Icel. v[ae]tt, Sw. vigt, Dan. v[ae]gt. See {Weigh}, v. t.] [1913 Webster] 1. The quality of being heavy; that property of bodies by which they tend toward the center… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • dead weight — dead weights 1) N COUNT A dead weight is a load which is surprisingly heavy and difficult to lift. He hoisted the dead weight over his shoulder. 2) N COUNT: usu sing You can refer to something that makes change or progress difficult as a dead… …   English dictionary

  • dead weight — dead′ weight′ or dead′weight′ n. 1) the heavy, unrelieved weight of anything inert 2) a heavy burden or responsibility • Etymology: 1650–60 …   From formal English to slang

  • dead weight — n. 1. the weight of an inert person or thing 2. a heavy or oppressive burden 3. the weight of a vehicle without a load 4. DEAD LOAD …   English World dictionary

  • dead-weight — deadˈ weightˈ noun 1. Unrelieved weight 2. Heavy and oppressive burden 3. Difference in a ship s displacement loaded and light • • • Main Entry: ↑dead …   Useful english dictionary

  • dead weight — noun 1. ) count something that is very heavy and difficult to lift or carry a ) someone who cannot be lifted easily because they are sleeping, unconscious, or dead 2. ) singular something that makes it difficult for development, progress, or… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • dead weight — UK / US noun Word forms dead weight : singular dead weight plural dead weights 1) a) [countable] something that is very heavy and difficult to lift or carry b) someone who cannot be lifted easily because they are sleeping, unconscious, or dead 2) …   English dictionary

  • dead weight — 1. the heavy, unrelieved weight of anything inert: The dead weight of the bear s body was over 300 pounds. 2. a heavy or oppressive burden or responsibility. 3. the weight of a railroad car, truck, etc., as distinct from its load or contents.… …   Universalium

  • dead|weight ton — dead weight ton, or dead|weight ton «DEHD WAYT» a long ton (2,240 pounds) used in calculating dead weight tonnage …   Useful english dictionary

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