from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Die \Die\, n.; pl. in 1 and (usually) in 2, {Dice} (d[imac]s);
in 4 & 5, {Dies} (d[imac]z). [OE. dee, die, F. d['e], fr. L.
datus given, thrown, p. p. of dare to give, throw. See {Date}
a point of time.]
1. A small cube, marked on its faces with spots from one to
six, and used in playing games by being shaken in a box
and thrown from it. See {Dice}.
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2. Any small cubical or square body.
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Words . . . pasted upon little flat tablets or dies.
--Watts.
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3. That which is, or might be, determined, by a throw of the
die; hazard; chance.
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Such is the die of war. --Spenser.
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4. (Arch.) That part of a pedestal included between base and
cornice; the dado.
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5. (Mach.)
(a) A metal or plate (often one of a pair) so cut or
shaped as to give a certain desired form to, or
impress any desired device on, an object or surface,
by pressure or by a blow; used in forging metals,
coining, striking up sheet metal, etc.
(b) A perforated block, commonly of hardened steel used in
connection with a punch, for punching holes, as
through plates, or blanks from plates, or for forming
cups or capsules, as from sheet metal, by drawing.
(c) A hollow internally threaded screw-cutting tool, made
in one piece or composed of several parts, for forming
screw threads on bolts, etc.; one of the separate
parts which make up such a tool.
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{Cutting die} (Mech.), a thin, deep steel frame, sharpened to
a cutting edge, for cutting out articles from leather,
cloth, paper, etc.
{The die is cast}, the hazard must be run; the step is taken,
and it is too late to draw back; the last chance is taken.
Diecian