deadlight

[ ded-lahyt ]

noun

, Nautical.

1. a strong shutter able to be screwed against the interior of a porthole in heavy weather.
2. a thick pane of glass set in the hull or deck to admit light. lights.

deadlight

/ ˈdɛdˌlaɪt /

noun

1. nautical
   1. a bull's-eye let into the deck or hull of a vessel to admit light to a cabin
   2. a shutter of wood or metal for sealing off a porthole or cabin window
2. a skylight designed not to be opened

Word History and Origins

Origin of deadlight¹

First recorded in 1720–30; dead + light ¹

Example Sentences

How unsettling his performance is: when he’s being jolly in luring Georgie to the sewer, there’s something of the serial killer to him, rather than the immortal creature from the deadlights.

From The Guardian

“That’s what I minded most, about the storm,” she added, “four days shut away down there with the deadlights up.”

From Literature

My deadlights was more misty than I like to have 'em.

From Project Gutenberg

To his second officer he had expressed a desire for a typhoon that would roll the deadlights out of his boat, and blow the hyphenated “garden truck” into the Sulu Sea.

From Project Gutenberg

The deadlight of the porthole had been unshipped and the cabin was flooded with dazzling sunlight.

From Project Gutenberg