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The die is cast

 - 6 dictionary results

die

2[dahy] noun, plural dies for 1, 2, 4, dice for 3; verb, died, die⋅ing.
–noun
1. Machinery.
a. any of various devices for cutting or forming material in a press or a stamping or forging machine.
b. 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.
c. one of the separate pieces of such a device.
d. a steel block or plate with small conical holes through which wire, plastic rods, etc., are drawn.
2. an engraved stamp for impressing a design upon some softer material, as in coining money.
3. sing. of dice.
4. Architecture. dado (def. 1).
–verb (used with object)
5. to impress, shape, or cut with a die.
6. the die is cast, the irrevocable decision has been made; fate has taken charge: The die is cast—I can't turn back.

Origin:
1300–50; ME de (in early modern E taking the vowel of the pl. form dice ) < OF de(i), presumbly < L datum given (neut. ptp. of dare to give), perh. in the deriv. sense “put, placed,” hence “played, cast”
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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die 2   (dī)   
n.   pl. dies or dice (dīs)
  1. pl. dies A device used for cutting out, forming, or stamping material, especially:

    1. An engraved metal piece used for impressing a design onto a softer metal, as in coining money.

    2. One of several component pieces that are fitted into a diestock to cut threads on screws or bolts.

    3. A part on a machine that punches shaped holes in, cuts, or forms sheet metal, cardboard, or other stock.

    4. A metal block containing small conical holes through which plastic, metal, or other ductile material is extruded or drawn.

    5. A small cube marked on each side with from one to six dots, usually used in pairs in gambling and in various other games.

    6. dice (used with a sing. verb) A game of chance using dice.

  2. pl. dies Architecture The dado of a pedestal, especially when cube-shaped.

  3. pl. dice

    1. A small cube marked on each side with from one to six dots, usually used in pairs in gambling and in various other games.

    2. dice (used with a sing. verb) A game of chance using dice.

tr.v.   died, die·ing, dies
To cut, form, or stamp with or as if with a die.

[Middle English de, gaming die, from Old French, from Latin datum, given, from neuter past participle of dare, to give; see dō- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Slang Dictionary
die

  1. in.
    to “perish” (figuratively) from laughter or some other emotionally intense response. : The whole audience died laughing.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Word Origin & History

die  (v.)
c.1135, possibly from O.Dan. døja or O.N. deyja "to die, pass away," both from P.Gmc. *dawjanan, from PIE base *dheu- "to pass away, become senseless." It has been speculated that O.E. had *diegan, from the same source, but it is not in any of the surviving texts and the preferred words were steorfan (see starve), sweltan (see swelter), wesan dead, also forðgan and other euphemisms. Languages usually don't borrow words from abroad for central life experiences, but "die" words are an exception, since they are often hidden or changed euphemistically out of superstitious dread. A Du. 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 1581. Die-hard is 1844 as a noun, specifically of the 57th Regiment of Foot in the British Army; 1877 as an adj.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 2die
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural dies /'dIz/
: any of various tools or devices for imparting a desiredshape, form, or finish to a material or for impressing an object or material
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

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
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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