Dead-eye,

in nautical phrase, is a block of wood with three holes through it, for the lanyards of rigging to reeve through, without sheaves, and with a groove round it for an iron strap. (Dana: Seaman’s Manual, p. 92.)

⁂ The holes are eyes, but they are dead eyes.

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

De Mortuis Nil Nisi Bonum
De Nihilo Nihil Fit (Latin)
De Novo (Latin)
De Profundis [Out of the depths]
De Rigueur
De Trop (French)
Dead
Dead
Dead
Dead Drunk
Dead-eye
Dead-flat (A)
Dead Freight
Dead Hand (A)
Dead-heads
Dead Heat
Dead Horse
Dead Languages
Dead Letter
Dead-letter Office (The)
Dead Lift