die: Meaning and Definition of

die

Pronunciation: (dī), [key]
— died, dy•ing.
  1. to cease to live; undergo the complete and permanent cessation of all vital functions; become dead.
  2. (of something inanimate) to cease to exist: The laughter died on his lips.
  3. to lose force, strength, or active qualities: Superstitions die slowly.
  4. to cease to function; stop: The motor died.
  5. to be no longer subject; become indifferent: to die to worldly matters.
  6. to pass gradually; fade or subside gradually (usually fol. by away, out, or down): The storm slowly died down.
  7. to lose spiritual life.
  8. to faint or languish.
  9. to suffer as if fatally: I'm dying of boredom!
  10. to pine with desire, love, longing, etc.: I'm dying to see my home again.
  11. to desire or want keenly or greatly: I'm dying for a cup of coffee.
  12. (of a sound) to become weaker or fainter and then cease: The hoofbeats gradually died away.
  13. to become calm or quiet; subside.
  14. Childhood beliefs die hard.
    1. to die only after a bitter struggle.
    2. to give way or surrender slowly or with difficulty:Childhood beliefs die hard.
  15. to die one after another until the number is greatly reduced: Her friends are dying off.
  16. Both lines of the family died out before the turn of the century.
    1. to cease to exist; become extinct:Both lines of the family died out before the turn of the century.
    2. to die away; fade; subside:The roar of the engines died out as the rocket vanished into the clouds.
  17. (of a performance) to be received with silence rather than applause.
  18. never give up hope; never abandon one's efforts.
  19. stunning; remarkable: that dress is to die for.

die

Pronunciation: (dī), [key]
— n., pl. v., dies dice died, die•ing.
—n.
    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.
  1. an engraved stamp for impressing a design upon some softer material, as in coining money.
  2. sing. of
  3. dado (def. 1).
  4. the irrevocable decision has been made; fate has taken charge: The die is cast--I can't turn back.
—v.t.
  1. to impress, shape, or cut with a die.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
See also:
  • die (Thesaurus)