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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  • the die is cast — 1. An irrevocable step has been taken 2. There is no turning back now • • • Main Entry: ↑die * * * an event has happened or a decision has been made that cannot be changed * * * the die is cast see ↑die, 2 • • • Main Entry: ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • The die is cast — may refer to:* The Die is Cast ( DS9 episode), a third season episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine * Alea iacta est, translated as the die is cast, what Julius Caesar is reported to have said on January 10, 49 BC as he led his army across the… …   Wikipedia

  • (the) die is cast — the die is cast phrase used for saying that an event or decision cannot be changed and will have an important effect on the future Thesaurus: unlikely or impossible to changesynonym Main entry: die * * * the die is cast idiom ( …   Useful english dictionary

  • the die is cast — ► the die is cast an event has happened that cannot be changed. Main Entry: ↑die …   English terms dictionary

  • The Die is Cast — ST episode series = Deep Space Nine name = The Die is Cast Garak interrogates Odo. ep num = 67 prod num = 467 date = May 1, 1995 writer = Ronald D. Moore director = David Livingston guest = Andrew J. Robinson as Garak Paul Dooley as Enabran Tain… …   Wikipedia

  • (the) die is cast — a decision is made that cannot be changed. When the first shot was fired, the die was cast and a revolution began. Etymology: based on the idea that after you cast (= throw) a die (= small square block with a number on each side) you cannot… …   New idioms dictionary

  • the die is cast — the issue is determined, the decision has been made, the subject is already decided …   English contemporary dictionary

  • the die is cast — used for saying that an event or decision cannot be changed and will have an important effect on the future …   English dictionary

  • the die is cast — idi the irrevocable decision has been made …   From formal English to slang

  • the die is cast — a decision has been taken that cannot be changed. → be dying for/to do something …   English new terms dictionary

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