Main Entry:

¹die

Pronunciation:

\ˈdī\

Function:

intransitive verb

Inflected Form(s):

died; dy·ing \ˈdī-iŋ\

Etymology:

Middle English dien, from or akin to Old Norse deyja to die; akin to Old High German touwen to die

Date:

12th century

1: to pass from physical life : expire2 a: to pass out of existence : cease <their anger died at these words> b: to disappear or subside gradually —often used with away, down, or out<the storm died down>3 a: sink, languish <dying from fatigue> b: to long keenly or desperately <dying to go> c: to be overwhelmed by emotion <die of embarrassment>4 a: to cease functioning : stop <the motor died> b: to end in failure <the bill died in committee>5: to become indifferent <die to worldly things>

— die hard

1: to be long in dying <such rumors die hard>2: to continue resistance against hopeless odds <that kind of determination dies hard>

— die on the vine

: to fail especially at an early stage through lack of support or enthusiasm <let the proposal die on the vine>

— to die for

: extremely desirable or appealing <the dessert was to die for>