dead point; dead center
Technical term for the position in a reciprocating engine where the piston is at the end of its stroke and the connecting rod is in line with the crank, resulting in zero effective torque. Also used metaphorically for a standstill or impasse.
Once the engine passes the dead point, power is transmitted again.
The negotiations reached a dead point and no progress was seen.
Variant with interpunct; less common in running text.
Loanword from English 'dead point', referring to the mechanical dead center position.