deadwood: Meaning and Definition of

dead•wood

1. the dead branches on a tree; dead branches or trees.
2. useless or burdensome persons or things: He cut the deadwood from his staff.
3. (in writing) unnecessary words, phrases, or exposition; expendable verbiage.
4. a solid construction, serving only as reinforcement, located between the keel of a vessel and the stem or sternpost.
5. pins remaining on the alley after having been knocked down by the ball.
1. Rummy.cards in a hand that have not been included in sets and are usually counted as points against the holder.
2. Poker.cards that have been discarded.