Definition of "dead-man" []

• In lumbering, a fallen tree on the shore, or a timber to which the hawser of a boom is attached. (noun)

The Century Dictionary (Public Domain)

• "I'd like to see a "dead-man switch" feature: If I'm NOT holding down the 'O' and 'K' keys down (or other configurable keys) on startup, THEN connect and send info."
• "That could have been done either by the rig's dead-man switch, which is meant to automatically trigger the shears when the rig loses its connection to the blowout preventer, or it could have triggered two days later when remote-controlled robots arrived on the scene."
• "Makes me want to rig up a "dead-man switch" on the food locker."