deadhead

A person either admitted to a theatrical or musical performance without charge, or paid to attend.

Among the Romans.... The free admission tickets were small ivory death's heads, and specimens of these are to be seen in the Museum of Naples. From this custom, it is stated, that we derive our word “Deadhead,” as denoting one who has a free entrance to places of amusement.

[…] we critics were not his fellow-guests, but simply deadheads whose business it was to "dress the house" and write puffs.

An employee of a transport company, especially a pilot or flight attendant, traveling as a passenger for logistical reasons, for example to return home or travel to the next assignment.

Are you my deadhead to Miami?

Anyone traveling for free, without paying the expected fare.

With the check came two through tickets—good on the railroad from Hawkeye to Washington via New York—and they were “deadhead” tickets, too, which had been given to Senator Dilworthy by the railway companies. Senators and representatives were paid thousands of dollars by the government for traveling expenses, but they always traveled “deadhead” both ways, and then did as any honorable, high-minded men would naturally do—declined to receive the mileage tendered them by the government. The Senator had plenty of railway passes, and could. easily spare two to Laura—one for herself and one for a male escort.

I reckon I won't take the vote of any deadhead passenger.

A train or truck moved between cities with no passengers or freight, in order to make it available for service.

A person staying at a lodging, such as a hotel or boarding house, without paying rent; freeloader.

For the Caput mortuum (or deadhead, in vulgar phrase) is apt to be furnished with a Venter vivus, or, as we may say, a lively appetite.

Haviland had a sense of humor; it would make a story too good to keep--the new oil operator, the magnificent and mysterious New York financier, a “deadhead” at the Ajax. Oh, murder!

To admit to a performance without charge.

[…] the "puffing" system in criticism, whereby newspaper people were deadheaded in exchange for complimentary notices.

To travel as a deadhead, or non-paying passenger.

To drive an empty vehicle.

Kit had fallen into conversation with a footplate man who was deadheading back out to Samarkand, where he lived with his wife and children.

To send (a person or message) for free.

Washington suggested that she get some old friend of the family to come with her, and said the Senator would “deadhead” him home again as soon as he had grown tired, of the sights of the capital.

He said that if the operator had taken $800 and sent the message at the regular rate, which was twenty-five cents, it would have been all right, as the Jew would be punished for trying to bribe a military operator; but when the operator took the $800 and then sent the message deadhead, he couldn't stand it, and he would never relent.

(transitive) To remove spent or dead blossoms from a plant.

If you deadhead your roses regularly, they will bloom all season.

A fan of the rock band Grateful Dead.

Out on the road today / I saw a Deadhead sticker on a Cadillac