Deadweight
/ˈdɛd.weɪt/noun
A heavy burden or load that is difficult to carry or move.
Did you know?In nautical terms, 'deadweight' refers to the weight a ship can safely carry, but its origins evoke the heaviness of death itself, symbolizing both physical and emotional burdens.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
Old English
dēadwēhte
“A weight of a dead body, or a burden that has lost life.”
Middle English
Middle English
deadweght
“A term used to describe a burdensome weight, particularly one that hinders movement.”
14th Century
Middle English
deadweyt
“Referring to a load that is not only heavy but burdensome to the point of being lifeless.”
Modern English
English
deadweight
“A term used to denote any heavy load, especially in contexts of emotional or financial burdens.”