deadeye

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dead·eye

 (dĕd′ī′)
n.
1. Nautical A flat hardwood disk with a grooved perimeter, pierced by three holes through which the lanyards are passed, used to fasten the shrouds.
2. Slang An expert shooter: a deadeye with the rifle.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

deadeye

(ˈdɛdˌaɪ)
n
1. (Nautical Terms) nautical either of a pair of disclike wooden blocks, supported by straps in grooves around them, between which a line is rove so as to draw them together to tighten a shroud. Compare bull's-eye9
2. (Shooting) chiefly informal US an expert marksman
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

dead•eye

(ˈdɛdˌaɪ)

n., pl. -eyes.
1. either of a pair of disks of hardwood having holes through which a lanyard is rove: used to tighten shrouds and stays.
2. an expert marksman.
[1740–50; as nautical term, probably ellipsis from deadman's eye, Middle English dedmaneseye deadeye]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.deadeye - a dead shot
crack shot, marksman, sharpshooter - someone skilled in shooting
2.deadeye - (nautical) a round hardwood disk with holes and a grooved perimeter used to tighten a shroud
sailing, seafaring, navigation - the work of a sailor
disk, disc - a flat circular plate
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
References in classic literature ?
Below, Lee Goom and Toyama were lowering skylight covers and screwing up deadeyes. Duncan pulled shut the cover of the companion scuttle, and held on, waiting, the first drops of rain pelting his face, while the Samoset leaped violently ahead, at the same time heeling first to starboard then to port as the gusty pressures caught her winged-out sails.
If there have been 7,000 dead pushers, dealers, users, one can only infer that cops are extremely skillful deadeyes, which means they can be retrained to be less deadly, to aim for a leg, foot, arm, or shoulder instead of the head or chest.
The wood contains a natural oil which makes it self-lubricating, leading to its use for belaying pins, deadeyes and, more recently, propeller bearings on ships.