A dead key refers to a nonfunctioning key on a typewriter, computer keyboard, or word processor. This could occur due to design or disrepair, serving to print a character for placing a grammatical mark or statistical symbol over or under another character without moving the cursor or carriage.
A typewriter is a mechanical or electromechanical device used to produce printed characters on paper by striking a ribbon with a type element, typically used for writing compositions and documents.
