dead wood
The term "dead wood" has versatile applications, ranging from literal dead branches in nature to metaphorical references in business and writing.
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Definition
B2Nature
(general)Branches or trees that are no longer alive, often found decaying on the forest floor.
Example
- The forest floor was covered in dead wood, providing a habitat for various insects.
- After the storm, many dead wood branches littered the park.
C1Business
(informal)People or things within an organization that are no longer useful or productive.
Example
- The new manager aimed to cut out the dead wood to improve efficiency.
- In times of economic downturn, companies often look to eliminate dead wood to stay afloat.
C1Writing
(technical)Unnecessary words or phrases in a text that can be removed without affecting its overall meaning.
Example
- The editor advised removing the dead wood from the manuscript to make it more concise.
- Good writing involves trimming the dead wood to keep the reader engaged.
C2Nautical
(technical)Heavy timbers at the bow or stern of a wooden ship, just above the keel.
Example
- The shipbuilders inspected the dead wood to ensure it was properly secured.
- Maintaining the dead wood is crucial for the ship's structural integrity.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "dead wood":
dead treedead groundwood antdead stickdead meatdry rotdead waterwhite rotdead weightdead moneydead in the waterwet rotdead fish