'dead beat' definitions:

Definition of 'dead beat'

From: GCIDE
  • dead beat \dead` beat"\ (d[e^]d`b[=e]t"), deadbeat \dead"beat`\(d[e^]d"b[=e]t`). a loafer, sponger, or swindler; especially, one who does not pay his debts. Same as Beat, n., 7. [Low, U.S.] [1913 Webster]