[ded-man, -muh
n] 
noun, plural -men [-men, -muhn] , adjective | 1. | Building Trades. a log, concrete block, etc., buried in the ground as an anchor. |
| 2. | a crutchlike prop temporarily supporting a pole or mast being erected. |
| 3. | Nautical.
|
| 4. | Also, dead-man's. Machinery, Automotive. of or pertaining to a control or switch on a powered machine or vehicle that disengages a blade or clutch, applies the brake, shuts off the engine, etc., when the driver or operator ceases to press a pedal, squeeze a throttle, etc.: deadman throttle; dead-man's control. |