dint

dint
    n 1: interchangeable with `means' in the expression `by means
         of'
    

Dint \Dint\, n. [OE. dint, dent, dunt, a blow, AS. dynt; akin to
   Icel. dyntr a dint, dynta to dint, and perh. to L. fendere
   (in composition). Cf. 1st {Dent}, {Defend}.]
   1. A blow; a stroke. [Obs.] "Mortal dint." --Milton. "Like
      thunder's dint." --Fairfax.
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   2. The mark left by a blow; an indentation or impression made
      by violence; a dent. --Dryden.
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            Every dint a sword had beaten in it [the shield].
                                                  --Tennyson.
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   3. Force; power; -- esp. in the phrase by dint of.
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            Now you weep; and, I perceive, you feel
            The dint of pity.                     --Shak.
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            It was by dint of passing strength
            That he moved the massy stone at length. --Sir W.
                                                  Scott.
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Dint \Dint\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dinted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Dinting}.]
   To make a mark or cavity on or in, by a blow or by pressure;
   to dent. --Donne. Tennyson.
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170 Moby Thesaurus words for "dint":
      alveolation, alveolus, amperage, armipotence, authority, bang,
      bash, bat, beating, beef, belt, biff, black power, blow, bonk,
      boss, brute force, bump, charge, charisma, chop, clip, clout,
      clump, cogence, cogency, colophon, compulsion, concavity,
      convexity, crack, cut, dactylogram, dactylograph, dash, dent,
      depress, dig, dimple, drive, drub, drubbing, drumming, duress,
      effect, effectiveness, effectuality, embossment, energy, engrave,
      excrescence, fingerprint, flower power, footmark, footprint,
      footstep, force, force majeure, forcefulness, fossil footprint,
      full blast, full force, furrow, fusillade, gouge, hit, honeycomb,
      ichnite, ichnolite, impress, impression, imprint, indent,
      indentation, indention, indenture, influence, jab, knock, lick,
      lump, main force, main strength, mana, might, might and main,
      mightiness, moxie, muscle power, notch, pad, paw print, pawmark,
      pelt, pimple, pit, pizzazz, plunk, pock, pockmark, poke, poop,
      potence, potency, potentiality, pound, power, power pack,
      power structure, power struggle, powerfulness, prepotency,
      press in, print, productiveness, productivity, pug, pugmark,
      puissance, pull, punch, punch in, push, rap, recess, seal,
      set back, set in, sigil, signet, sinew, slam, slog, slug, smack,
      smash, sock, stamp, steam, step, strength, stroke, strong arm,
      stud, sunken part, superiority, superpower, swat, swing, swipe,
      tamp, tattoo, thumbmark, thumbprint, thump, thwack, validity,
      vehemence, vestige, vigor, vim, virility, virtue, virulence,
      vitality, wattage, weight, whack, whop, yerk