Deadline

Origin

The context of a due date originated in journalism, probably from an earlier usage in printing, representing a guideline marked on a plate for a printing press (inside which all content should appear). According to the Oxford English Dictionary, early usage refers simply to lines that do not move, such as one used in angling; slightly later American usage includes a boundary around a prison which prisoners must not cross.

Full definition of deadline

Noun

1. A date on or before which something must be completed.I must make this deadline or my boss will kill me!
2. (archaic) A guideline marked on a plate for a printing press.
3. (archaic) A line which doesn't move.
4. (archaic) A boundary around a prison.

Verb

1. (military) To render an item non-mission-capable; to ground an aircraft, etc.----