1. round wooden blocks with holes through which ropes are passed, used on sailing ships to adjust the tension of rigging
Usage: nautical; plural form

Examples

• The sailor adjusted the deadeyes to tighten the shrouds.
• Traditional tall ships still use wooden deadeyes in their rigging.
• The deadeyes were carved from hard oak to withstand the strain.
• Maritime museums display various types of deadeyes used on historic vessels.
• The rigger threaded the lanyard through the holes in the deadeyes.
• Deadeyes allowed sailors to fine-tune the tension of the standing rigging.