die 1 (d )intr.v. died, dy·ing (d Phrasal Verbs:   ng), dies 1. To cease living; become dead; expire. 2. To cease existing, especially by degrees; fade: The sunlight died in the west. 3. To experience an agony or suffering suggestive of that of death: nearly died of embarrassment. 4. Informal To desire something greatly: I am dying for a box of chocolates. She was dying to see the exhibit. 5. a. To cease operation; stop: If your vehicle dies, stay with it. b. To be destroyed, as in combat: could see the remains of two aircraft that had died in the attack. 6. To become indifferent: had died to all worldly concerns. die back Botany To be affected by dieback. die down To lose strength; subside: The winds died down. die off To undergo a sudden, sharp decline in population: Rabbits were dying off in that county. die out Idioms: To cease living completely; become extinct: tribes and tribal customs that died out centuries ago. die hard 1. To take a long time in passing out of existence: racial prejudices that die hard. 2. To resist against overwhelming, hopeless odds: radicalism that dies hard. die on the vine To fail, as from lack of support, especially at an early stage: a plan that died on the vine. to die for Informal Remarkable or highly desirable. [Middle English dien, probably from Old Norse deyja; see dheu-2 in Indo-European roots.] |
| die 2 (d) n. pl. dies or dice (d s) 1. pl. dies A device used for cutting out, forming, or stamping material, especially: a. An engraved metal piece used for impressing a design onto a softer metal, as in coining money. b. One of several component pieces that are fitted into a diestock to cut threads on screws or bolts. c. A part on a machine that punches shaped holes in, cuts, or forms sheet metal, cardboard, or other stock. d. A metal block containing small conical holes through which plastic, metal, or other ductile material is extruded or drawn. 2. pl. dies Architecture The dado of a pedestal, especially when cube-shaped. 3. pl. dice a. A small cube marked on each side with from one to six dots, usually used in pairs in gambling and in various other games. b. dice (used with a sing. verb) A game of chance using dice. tr.v. died, die·ing, dies Idioms: To cut, form, or stamp with or as if with a die. load the dice 1. To make an outcome highly probable; predetermine a result: "These factors merely load the dice, upping the odds that a household will fall into a certain . . . income distribution" (Thomas G. Exter). 2. To put another at a distinct disadvantage, as through prior maneuver: The dice were loaded against the defendant before the trial. no dice 1. Of no use; futile. 2. Used as a refusal to a request. the die is cast The decision has been made and is irrevocable. [Middle English de, gaming die, from Old French, from Latin datum, given, from neuter past participle of dare, to give; see d  - in Indo-European roots.] |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Verb | 1. | die hard - continue to exist; "These stories die hard"; "The legend of Elvis endures" continue - exist over a prolonged period of time; "The bad weather continued for two more weeks" carry over - transfer or persist from one stage or sphere of activity to another run - occur persistently; "Musical talent runs in the family" reverberate - have a long or continuing effect; "The discussions with my teacher reverberated throughout my adult life" |
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