I. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
Etymology: dead (I) + head
1.
a. : one that has not paid for a ticket (as for admission to a show or passage on a train) ; sometimes : the ticket so received
b.
(1) : an employee (as of a railroad) riding as a passenger to an assigned point
(2) : a vehicle (as a freight car or a truck) riding empty
c. : one that does not contribute to the activity of a business or organization
we have several deadheads on the board of directors
d. : one who is unfitted or unwilling to advance to a higher rank
2. : a wholly or partly sunken log
3. : tailstock
4.
a. : a block of wood used as a buoy
b. : a heavy post on a wharf to which to fasten a hawser : bollard
II. adjective
: composed of deadheads : acting as a deadhead
deadhead train runs are necessary in the early morning hours
III. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
intransitive verb
1. : to act or behave as a deadhead
2.
a. : to make a return trip without a load — used especially of a truck
b. : to drive or ride on a truck making such a trip
transitive verb
: to drive or haul (a truck, car, locomotive) as a deadhead
IV. noun
: a dull or stupid person
V. transitive verb
: to remove the faded flowers of (a plant) especially to keep a neat appearance and to promote reblooming by preventing seed production