rhizoverbBeta
DictionarydeadheadSpent flowers and their removal
noun / verb

deadhead

DED-hed/dˈɛdhˌɛd/

A faded flower to be removed from a plant.

The clipped deadhead lies beside the plant and a pair of pruning snips.

A freshly clipped, faded flower head lies prominently beside a flowering plant, with its short cut stem visible.
Etymology
deadEnglishinactive; unresponsive
+headEnglishhead; seat of thought

The supplied evidence describes a non-paying passenger or spectator and a Grateful Dead fan. It does not explain the botanical use for a faded flower head removed from a plant.

More examples

  • I deadhead the roses once their petals begin to fall.
  • We deadheaded the marigolds before watering the garden.
  • A few deadheads remain among the fresh blossoms.

Forms

deadhead · deadheads · deadheaded · deadheading

Similar words

prune
Includes removing branches and stems, not just faded flowers.
snip
Describes small cuts without specifying what is being removed.