The die is cast

The die is cast
Die Die, n.; pl. in 1 and (usually) in 2, {Dice} (d[=i]s); in 4 & 5, {Dies} (d[=i]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}. [1913 Webster]

2. Any small cubical or square body. [1913 Webster]

Words . . . pasted upon little flat tablets or dies. --Watts. [1913 Webster]

3. That which is, or might be, determined, by a throw of the die; hazard; chance. [1913 Webster]

Such is the die of war. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]

4. (Arch.) That part of a pedestal included between base and cornice; the dado. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

{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.


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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