deadfall

[ ded-fawl ]

noun

1. a trap, especially for large game, in which a weight falls on and crushes the prey.
2. a mass of brush and fallen fall trees.

deadfall

/ ˈdɛdˌfɔːl /

noun

1. a type of trap, used esp for catching large animals, in which a heavy weight falls to crush the prey Also calleddownfall

Word History and Origins

Origin of deadfall¹

First recorded in 1605–15; dead + fall

Example Sentences

I have poked a few holes in the mesh from dragging my Speedgoats over sharp rocks and through deadfall, though the punctures didn’t affect the performance of the waterproof membrane, as they did not penetrate the liner beneath the mesh.

From Outside Online

Spandex can be a passable solution, but leggings often leave me swampy in all the wrong places, and I’ve torn holes in more than a few pairs trying to heft myself over deadfall.

From Outside Online

He has broken away from several steel traps, and he always takes the bait of a deadfall without harm to himself.

From Project Gutenberg

After three or four days, I again went to the deadfall, wondering and imagining all kinds of things.

From Project Gutenberg

With some hard work and heavy lifting I got another good deadfall built that day.

From Project Gutenberg

The carcass of the bear was, of course, a complete loss, and that is a serious objection to the deadfall as a bear trap.

From Project Gutenberg

When the mink will not take bait readily, then of course the deadfall does not make a successful mink trap.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• danger
• difficulty
• drawback
• peril
• risk
• snag