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

Word History and Origins

Origin of deadfall¹

First recorded in 1605–15; dead + fall

Example Sentences

Two hours drive away, we reach the Deadfall Hills.

From BBC

Deadfall is a particularly thorny problem, and the club’s latter-day lumberjacks head out with chain saws in tow to remove trees upward of 4 feet in diameter.

From Seattle Times

Then, a video demonstrating an ancient deadfall trap received over a million views.

From New York Times

With a nervous look at the shadows under the trees, Nhamo crossed the clearing and quickly gathered firewood from a deadfall in a dry streambed.

From Literature

Some deadfall will be allowed to rot, creating new habitat.

From BBC

Related Words

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