link-dead adj. [MUD] The state a player is in when they kill their
   connection to a {MUD} without leaving it properly. The player is then
   commonly left as a statue in the game, and is only removed after a
   certain period of time (an hour on most MUDs). Used on {IRC} as well,
   although it is inappropriate in that context. Compare {netdead}.


Source: The Jargon File