die-off

[ dahy-awf, -of ]
/ ˈdaɪˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

noun

a sudden, natural perishing of large numbers of a species, population, or community.

Origin of die-off

First recorded in 1935–40; noun use of verb phrase die off

Definition for die off (2 of 2)

die 1
[ dahy ]
/ daɪ /

verb (used without object), died, dy·ing.

Verb Phrases

Origin of die

1
1150–1200; Middle English dien, deien < Old Norse deyja. Cf. dead, death

synonym study for die

1. Die, pass away ( pass on; pass ), perish mean to relinquish life. To die is to become dead from any cause and in any circumstances. It is the simplest, plainest, and most direct word for this idea, and is used figuratively of anything that has once displayed activity: An echo, flame, storm, rumor dies. Pass away (or pass on or pass ) is a commonly used euphemism implying a continuation of life after death: Grandfather passed away ( passed on or passed ). Perish, a more literary term, implies death under harsh circumstances such as hunger, cold, neglect, etc.; figuratively, perish connotes utter extinction: Hardship caused many pioneers to perish. Ancient Egyptian civilization has perished.

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH die

die dye

British Dictionary definitions for die off (1 of 2)

die 1
/ (daɪ) /

verb dies, dying or died (mainly intr)

See also dieback, die down, die out

Word Origin for die

Old English dīegan, probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse deyja, Old High German touwen

usage for die

It was formerly considered incorrect to use the preposition from after die, but of and from are now both acceptable: he died of/from his injuries

British Dictionary definitions for die off (2 of 2)

die 2
/ (daɪ) /

noun

Word Origin for die

C13 dee, from Old French de, perhaps from Vulgar Latin datum (unattested) a piece in games, noun use of past participle of Latin dare to play

Medical definitions for die off

die
[ dī ]

v.

To cease living; become dead; expire.
To cease existing, especially by degrees; fade.

Scientific definitions for die off

die-off
[ dīôf′ ]

A sudden, severe decline in a population or community of organisms as a result of natural causes. Local die-offs can be caused by such factors as an unusual or extreme weather pattern, an outbreak of disease, or toxic algal blooms in a body of water. Widespread or global die-offs in which a species or group of species becomes extinct are generally associated with rapid climate change or other large-scale environmental dislocations.

Idioms and Phrases with die off (1 of 2)

die off

Perish one by one, as in A celibate community, the Shakers are dying off. [Late 1600s]

Idioms and Phrases with die off (2 of 2)

die