Word origins - 2ed. J. Ayto. 2005.
Dint — Dint, n. [OE. dint, dent, dunt, a blow, AS. dynt; akin to Icel. dyntr a dint, dynta to dint, and perh. to L. fendere (in composition). Cf. 1st {Dent}, {Defend}.] 1. A blow; a stroke. [Obs.] Mortal dint. Milton. Like thunder s dint. Fairfax. [1913 … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
dint — [dınt] n [: Old English; Origin: dynt blow, hit ] by dint of (doing) sth by using a particular method ▪ By dint of hard work and persistence, she had got the job of manager … Dictionary of contemporary English
dint — [ dınt ] noun count a DENT in a surface by dint of something FORMAL by means of something … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
dint — ► NOUN ▪ an impression or hollow in a surface; a dent. ● by dint of Cf. ↑by dint of ORIGIN Old English, «a blow with a weapon» … English terms dictionary
dint — [dint] n. [ME < OE dynt < IE base * dhen , to strike > DING] 1. force; exertion: now chiefly in by dint of 2. a dent 3. Archaic a blow vt. 1. to dent 2. to drive in wit … English World dictionary
Dint — Dint, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dinted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Dinting}.] To make a mark or cavity on or in, by a blow or by pressure; to dent. Donne. Tennyson. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
dint — O.E. dynt blow dealt in fighting (especially by a sword), from P.Gmc. *duntiz (Cf. O.N. dyntr blow, kick ). Phrase by dint of ... by force of, by means of, is early 14c … Etymology dictionary
dint — I noun ableness, authority, control, effectiveness, effectuality, efficacy, force, forcefulness, greatness, influence, might, mightiness, potence, potency, power, powerfulness, prepotency, pressure, puissance, strength, superiority, sway, vigor,… … Law dictionary
dint — n. by dint of (by dint of hard work) * * * [dɪnt] by dint of (by dint of hard work) … Combinatory dictionary
dint — /dɪnt / (say dint) noun 1. a dent. 2. Obsolete a blow; stroke. –verb (t) 3. to make a dint or dints in. 4. to impress or drive in with force. –phrase 5. by dint of, by means of: by dint of argument. {Middle English; Old English dynt} –dintless,… …
dint — [[t]dɪ̱nt[/t]] PHR PREP If you achieve a result by dint of something, you achieve it by means of that thing. [WRITTEN] He succeeds by dint of sheer hard work... He has acquired, by dint of threatening to resign, a directorate general with about… … English dictionary
