die¹ (dī)

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[Middle English dien, probably from Old Norse deyja.]

intransitive verb: died, dy·ing (dī́ĭng), dies. 

1. To cease living; become dead; expire.
2. To cease existing, especially by degrees; fade: The sunlight died in the west.
3. To experience an agony or suffering suggestive of that of death: nearly died of embarrassment.
4. Informal To desire something greatly: I am dying for a box of chocolates. She was dying to see the exhibit.
5. 1. To cease operation; stop: If your vehicle dies, stay with it.
   2. To be destroyed, as in combat: could see the remains of two aircraft that had died in the attack.
6. To become indifferent: had died to all worldly concerns.

phrasal verbs

die back

To be affected by dieback.

die down

To lose strength; subside: The winds died down.

die off

To undergo a sudden, sharp decline in population: Rabbits were dying off in that county.

die out

To cease living completely; become extinct: tribes and tribal customs that died out centuries ago.

idioms

die hard

To take a long time in passing out of existence: racial prejudices that die hard. To resist against overwhelming, hopeless odds: radicalism that dies hard.

die on the vine

To fail, as from lack of support, especially at an early stage: a plan that died on the vine.

to die for

Remarkable or highly desirable.

die² (dī)

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[Middle English de, gaming die, from Old French, from Latin datum, given, from neuter past participle of dare, to give.]

noun: pl., dies or dice (dīs) 

1. 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.
2. Architecture The dado of a pedestal, especially when cube-shaped.
3. 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. A game of chance using dice.

transitive verb: died, die·ing, dies. 

To cut, form, or stamp with or as if with a die.

idioms

load the dice

To make an outcome highly probable; predetermine a result: “These factors merely load the dice, upping the odds that a household will fall into a certain . . . income distribution” (Thomas G. Exter) To put another at a distinct disadvantage, as through prior maneuver: The dice were loaded against the defendant before the trial.

no dice

Of no use; futile. Used as a refusal to a request.

the die is cast

The decision has been made and is irrevocable.