I. ˈdī intransitive verb
( died ; dy·ing ˈdī-iŋ)
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
- die on the vine
- to die for
II. ˈdī noun
( plural dice ˈdīs ; or dies ˈdīz)
Etymology: Middle English dee, from Anglo-French dé
Date: 14th century
1. plural dice : a small cube marked on each face with from one to six spots and used usually in pairs in various games and in gambling by being shaken and thrown to come to rest at random on a flat surface — often used figuratively in expressions concerning chance or the irrevocability of a course of action
the die was cast
2. plural dies : dado 1a
3. plural dies : any of various tools or devices for imparting a desired shape, form, or finish to a material or for impressing an object or material: as
a.
(1) : the larger of a pair of cutting or shaping tools that when moved toward each other produce a desired form in or impress a desired device on an object by pressure or by a blow
(2) : a device composed of a pair of such tools
b. : a hollow internally threaded screw-cutting tool used for forming screw threads
c. : a mold into which molten metal or other material is forced
d. : a perforated block through which metal or plastic is drawn or extruded for shaping