What is "deadweights"

Usage examples of "deadweights".

Does it seem rational that we create robots with minds capable of calculating hyperspace jumps, and then set them to work as deadweights to keep pleasure boats from floating away?

Other times, her hands felt cold as ice, almost deadweights at the ends of her wrists, and she would grow frantic, trying to move her fingers, terrified that they had become paralyzed.

Riane felt herself caught as if in a deep dream, her limbs felt like deadweights, her thoughts slow as frozen sap.

One would huddle together as close as possible for an hour and let the others have the space to wrestle and lift their comrades as deadweights, building back the muscles they had all lost, before changing over and letting the other group work and sweat.