Deadwood (noun)
deadwood [ded-woo d]

noun
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. Nautical. a solid construction, serving only as reinforcement, located between the keel of a vessel and the stem or sternpost.
5. Bowling. pins remaining on the alley after having been knocked down by the ball.
6. Cards.
a. Rummy. cards in a hand that have not been included in sets and are usually counted as points against the holder.
b. Poker. cards that have been discarded.

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Origin: First recorded in 1720-30; dead + wood

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