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   dead weight

   /ˈded ˌwāt/

   noun

   • 1. the weight of an inert person or thing: "the net was a dead weight on his shoulders"
   • ▪ a heavy or oppressive burden: "the past was just so much dead weight, excess baggage"
   • ▪ the total weight of cargo, stores, etc., that a ship carries or can carry at a particular draft: "this will produce a maximum dead weight of 72,350 tons"
   • ▪ another term for dead load
   • ▪ animals sold by the estimated weight of salable meat that they will yield.
   • ▪ losses incurred because of the inefficient allocation of resources, especially through taxation or restriction: "a dead-weight burden"

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