eep-sea lead.

DEAD-EYE, OR DEAD MAN'S EYE. A sort of round flattish wooden block, or
oblate piece of elm, encircled, and fixed to the channels by the
chain-plate: it is pierced with three holes through the flat part, in
order to receive a rope called the laniard, which, corresponding with
three holes in another dead-eye on the shroud end, creates a purchase to
set up and extend the shrouds and stays, backstays, &c., of the standing
and top-mast rigging. The term _dead_ seems to have been used because
there is no revolving sheave to lessen the friction. In merchant-ships
they are generally fitted with iron-plates, in the room of chains,
extending from the vessel's side to the top of the rail, where they are
connected with the rigging. The dead-eyes used for the stays have only
one hole, which, however, is large enough to receive ten or twelve turns
of the laniard--these are generally termed _hearts_, on account of their
shape. The _crowfeet dead-eyes_ are long cylindrical blocks with a
number of small holes in them, to receive the legs or lines composing
the crow-foot. Also called _uvrous_.

DEAD-FLAT. The timber or frame possessing the greatest breadth and
capacity in the ship: where several timbers are thrown in, of the same
area, the middle one is reckoned a dead-flat, about one third of the
length of the ship from the head. It is generally distinguished as the
midship-bend.

DEAD-FREIGHT. The sum to which a merchant is liable for goods which he
has failed to ship.

DEAD-HEAD. A kind of _dolphin_ (which see). Also, a rough block of wood
used as an anchor-buoy.

DEAD-HEADED. Timber trees which have ceased growing.

DEAD-HORSE. A term applied by seamen to labour which has been paid for
in advance. When they commence earning money again, there is in some
merchant ships a ceremony performed of dragging round the decks an
effigy of their fruitless labour in the shape of a horse, running him up
to the yard-arm, and cutting him adrift to fall into the sea amidst loud
cheers.

DEAD-LIFT. The moving of a very inert body.

DEAD-LIGHTS. Strong wooden shutters made exactly to fit the cabin
windows externally; they are fixed on the approach of bad weather. Also,
luminous appearances sometimes seen over putrescent bodies.

DEAD-LOWN. A completely still atmosphere.

DEAD-MEN. The reef or gasket-ends carelessly left dangling under the
yard when the sail is furled, instead of being tucked in.

DEAD-MEN'S EFFECTS. When a