n.
Pronunciation: ' d ī
Function: intransitive verb
Inflected Form: died ; dy · ing \ ' d ī -i ŋ \
Etymology: Middle English dien, from or akin to Old Norse deyja to die; akin to Old High German touwen to die
Date: 12th century
1 : to pass from physical life : EXPIRE
2 a : to pass out of existence : CEASE <their anger died at these words> b : to disappear or subside gradually ― often used with away, down, or out <the storm died down>
3 a : SINK , LANGUISH < dying from fatigue> b : to long keenly or desperately < dying to go> c : to be overwhelmed by emotion < die of embarrassment>
4 a : to cease functioning : STOP <the motor died > b : to end in failure <the bill died in committee>
5 : to become indifferent < die to worldly things>
– die hard
1 : to be long in dying <such rumors die hard >
2 : to continue resistance against hopeless odds <that kind of determination dies hard >
– die on the vine : to fail especially at an early stage through lack of support or enthusiasm <let the proposal die on the vine >
– to die for : extremely desirable or appealing <the dessert was to die for >