brain-dead

== English == === Alternative forms === brain dead, braindead === Etymology === From brain +‎ dead. Coined by the Harvard physician Henry K. Beecher in the historical context of the Sixties counterculture and life extension technology of the late twentieth century. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈbɹeɪnˌdɛd/ === Adjective === brain-dead (comparative more brain-dead, superlative most brain-dead) (medicine, not comparable) Having an irreversible loss of brain function and cessation of brain activity. (colloquial, derogatory) Having no useful thoughts; stupid; ditzy. ==== Usage notes ==== Brain-dead is occasionally used to describe a person in a coma. This may cause confusion because in formal medical use brain-dead means dead rather than comatose. ==== Translations ==== === Noun === brain-dead (plural brain-deads) (informal, derogatory) An unintelligent person. ==== Related terms ==== brain death ==== See also ==== comatose vegetative dain-bread (spoonerism) === References ===