8 Wintry Words to Defrost Your Vocabulary


[dahy] /daɪ/
  1. any of various devices for cutting or forming material in a press or a stamping or forging machine.
  2. a hollow device of steel, often composed of several pieces to be fitted into a stock, for cutting the threads of bolts or the like.
  3. one of the separate pieces of such a device.
  4. a steel block or plate with small conical holes through which wire, plastic rods, etc., are drawn.
an engraved stamp for impressing a design upon some softer material, as in coining money.
singular of dice.
Architecture, dado (def 1).
verb (used with object), died, dieing.
to impress, shape, or cut with a die.
the die is cast, the irrevocable decision has been made; fate has taken charge:
The die is cast—I can't turn back.
1300-50; Middle English de (in early Modern English taking the vowel of the plural form dice) < Old French de(i), presumbly < Latin datum given (neuter past participle of dare to give), perhaps in the derivative sense “put, placed,” hence “played, cast” Unabridged
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British Dictionary definitions for the die is cast


verb (mainly intransitive) dies, dying, died
often foll by away, down, or out. to lose strength, power, or energy, esp by degrees
often foll by away or down. to become calm or quiet; subside: the noise slowly died down
to stop functioning: the engine died
to languish or pine, as with love, longing, etc
(usually foll by of) (informal) to be nearly overcome (with laughter, boredom, etc)
(theol) to lack spiritual life within the soul, thus separating it from God and leading to eternal punishment
(informal) never say die, never give up
die hard, to cease to exist after resistance or a struggle: old habits die hard
die in harness, to die while still working or active, prior to retirement
be dying, foll by for or an infinitive. to be eager or desperate (for something or to do something): I'm dying to see the new house
(informal) to die for, highly desirable: a salary to die for
See also dieback, die down, die out
Usage note
Word Origin
Old English dīegan, probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse deyja, Old High German touwen


an internally-threaded tool for cutting external threads Compare tap2 (sense 6)
a casting mould giving accurate dimensions and a good surface to the object cast See also die-cast
(architect) the dado of a pedestal, usually cubic
another name for dice (sense 2)
as straight as a die, perfectly honest
the die is cast, the decision that commits a person irrevocably to an action has been taken
Word Origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for the die is cast



mid-12c., possibly from Old Danish døja or Old Norse deyja "to die, pass away," both from Proto-Germanic *dawjanan (cf. Old Frisian deja "to kill," Old Saxon doian, Old High German touwen, Gothic diwans "mortal"), from PIE root *dheu- (3) "to pass away, become senseless" (cf. Old Irish dith "end, death," Old Church Slavonic daviti, Russian davit' "to choke, suffer").


Languages usually don't borrow words from abroad for central life experiences, but "die" words are an exception, because they are often hidden or changed euphemistically out of superstitious dread. A Dutch euphemism translates as "to give the pipe to Maarten." Regularly spelled dege through 15c., and still pronounced "dee" by some in Lancashire and Scotland. Used figuratively (of sounds, etc.) from 1580s. Related: Died; dies.


early 14c. (as a plural, late 14c. as a singular), from Old French de "die, dice," of uncertain origin. Common Romanic (cf. Spanish, Portuguese, Italian dado, Provençal dat, Catalan dau), perhaps from Latin datum "given," past participle of dare (see date (n.1)), which, in addition to "give," had a secondary sense of "to play" (as a chess piece); or else from "what is given" (by chance or Fortune). Sense of "stamping block or tool" first recorded 1690s.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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the die is cast in Medicine

die (dī)
v. died, dy·ing (dī'ĭng), dies

  1. To cease living; become dead; expire.

  2. To cease existing, especially by degrees; fade.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
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Slang definitions & phrases for the die is cast



To desire very strongly: She was dying to become Miss Pancake (1591+)

  1. To laugh uncontrollably: When he puts a lampshade on his head you could die (1596+)
  2. To be left on base at the end of an inning (1908+ Baseball)
Related Terms

cross my heart

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Idioms and Phrases with the die is cast
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
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