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\ ˈdī-ˌȯf 
\
\Definition of die-off
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a sudden sharp decline of a population of animals or plants that is not caused directly by human activity
die off
verb\ ˈdī-ˈȯf \
\died off; dying off; dies off
Definition of die off (Entry 2 of 2)
: to die sequentially either singly or in numbers so that the total number is greatly diminished
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The first known use of die-off was in 1697
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