I. ˈdinj noun
( -s )
Etymology: origin unknown
: a dent made by a blow : a surface depression : dint
the vertical frown had left an ineradicable dinge between her eyebrows — Gladys Schmitt
II. transitive verb
( dinged ; dinged ; dingeing ; dinges )
dialect Britain : to make a dinge or depression in : batter
one of the gentlemen … held a dinged silk hat in his hand — James Joyce
III. transitive verb
( dinged ; dinged ; dingeing ; dinges )
Etymology: back-formation from dingy, adjective
: to make dingy
IV. noun
( -s )
Etymology: back-formation from dingy, adjective
: dinginess
the dinge and dust of these crumbling halls
: depression
his mood threw a dinge even over the children — John Galsworthy
V. noun
( -s )
Etymology: back-formation from dingy, adjective
slang : negro — usually used disparagingly