Deadfall

Pronunciation: /dɛdfɔl/

Definitions of deadfall

noun a trap for large animals consisting of a heavy board or log that falls on to the prey and kills or disables it

Example Sentences

A1 I saw a deadfall in the forest while hiking.

A2 Be careful of deadfalls when walking in the woods.

B1 The hiker got trapped in a deadfall and had to be rescued.

B2 The park ranger set up warning signs around the area with deadfalls.

C1 The forestry department conducted a study on the impact of deadfalls on wildlife.

C2 The survival expert demonstrated how to build a deadfall trap for catching food in the wilderness.

Examples of deadfall in a Sentence

formal The hikers were warned to watch out for deadfall along the trail.

informal Be careful of deadfall when you're hiking through the woods.

slang Watch out for those deadfalls on the path, they can trip you up.

figurative The deadfall of obstacles in her life seemed insurmountable at times.

Grammatical Forms of deadfall

• plural: deadfalls
• comparative: more deadfall
• superlative: most deadfall
• present tense: deadfall
• future tense: will deadfall
• perfect tense: has deadfallen
• continuous tense: is deadfalling
• singular: deadfall
• positive degree: deadfall
• infinitive: to deadfall
• gerund: deadfalling
• participle: deadfallen

Origin and Evolution of deadfall

First Known Use: 1601 year

Language of Origin: English

Story behind the word: The word 'deadfall' originated from the combination of 'dead' meaning lifeless or inanimate, and 'fall' referring to something descending or dropping.

Evolution of the word: Originally used to describe a trap that falls on prey, 'deadfall' has evolved to also refer to any trap that uses gravity or a weight to capture or kill animals.