Deadwood: meaning, definitions and examples
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deadwood
[ ˈdɛdˌwʊd ]
unwanted material
Deadwood refers to useless or unwanted material, often referring to branches or trees that are no longer living but still remain in the environment. In a broader context, it can describe anything that is ineffective or no longer useful, such as in a business or organizational setting.
Synonyms
debris, dross, rubbish, waste.
Examples of usage
- The forest was cluttered with deadwood, making it challenging to navigate.
- The management decided to cut off the deadwood from the team to enhance productivity.
- Artists often use deadwood to create unique sculptures.
literary term
In literary terms, deadwood can refer to characters or plot elements that do not contribute to the overall story or theme, effectively bogging down the narrative. Writers are often advised to eliminate deadwood to create more compelling and focused storytelling.
Synonyms
redundancies, superfluous elements, unnecessary parts.
Examples of usage
- The editor pointed out several instances of deadwood in the manuscript that needed revision.
- She worked to cut the deadwood from her narrative, ensuring each character had a purpose.
- Removing deadwood from the plot improved the pacing of the novel.
Translations
Translations of the word "deadwood" in other languages:
🇵🇹 madeira morta
🇮🇳 सूखी लकड़ी
🇩🇪 totes Holz
🇮🇩 kayu mati
🇺🇦 мертва деревина
🇵🇱 martwe drewno
🇯🇵 枯れ木
🇫🇷 bois mort
🇪🇸 madera muerta
🇹🇷 ölü ağaç
🇰🇷 죽은 나무
🇸🇦 خشب ميت
🇨🇿 mrtvé dřevo
🇸🇰 mŕtve drevo
🇨🇳 枯木
🇸🇮 mrtvo les
🇮🇸 dauður viður
🇰🇿 өлген ағаш
🇬🇪 მკვდარი ხე
🇦🇿 ölü ağac
🇲🇽 madera muerta
Etymology
The term 'deadwood' has its roots in the early 14th century, derived from the combination of the words 'dead' and 'wood.' The word 'dead' in this context means lifeless or no longer living, while 'wood' refers to the material derived from trees. Historically, deadwood was often associated with forestry and the natural environment, where fallen or dying trees posed hazards or a lack of visual appeal. Over the centuries, the usage of 'deadwood' expanded into various metaphorical contexts, particularly in business and literary criticism, symbolizing and emphasizing inefficacy. In organizational behavior, the term became a popular way to describe employees or practices that diminish overall performance. The literary usage of deadwood became more prominent in the 20th century, as writers and critics alike identified the need for clarity and purpose in both plot structure and character development.