Technology / Aviation / Dead Reckoning: In pioneer flight before radio, beacons, and accurate maps, flying distances much by instinct and guesswork, and referring to whatever landmarks were below, was quite routine. The 'dead' part simply meant 'straight,' as in the nautical 'dead ahead,' and pilots often relied heavily on the IRON COMPASS for cross-country flights over unfamiliar territory.
Search Google for Dead Reckoning:
Dead Adverb Synonyms: completely, entirely, absolutely, totally, abruptly, suddenly
Dead Adjective Synonyms: deceased, defunct, extinct, gone, departed, late, lifeless, no more, done for, gone for a burton
MORE
Reckoning Verb Synonyms: counting, calculating, calculation, computation, enumeration, addition
MORE
Business / Machine Shop / Dead Smooth: The term applied to the finest cut of a file. MORE
Entertainment / Golf / Dead Weight: (also 'overall weight') the total weight of a golf club (see also 'swingweight') MORE
Entertainment / Tennis / Dead Rubber: Refers to a davis cup match which is played after the victor of the tie has already been decided. Dead rubbers may or may not be played depending on the coaches agreement to do so and are usually best MORE