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diet
dic·ta·tor·ship /dɪkˈteɪtəʃɪp||-ˈteɪtər-/ n 1 [C,U] (the period of) government by a dictator 2 [C] a country ruled by a dictator
dic·tion /ˈdɪkʃən/ n [U] 1 the way in which a person pronounces words: Actors need training in diction. 2 the choice of words and phrases to express meaning: poetic diction (=the use of special words in poetry)
dic·tion·ar·y /ˈdɪkʃənrl-neri/ n 1 a book that gives a list of words in alphabetical order, with their meanings in the same or another language and usually their pronunciations: a German-English dictionary 2 a book like this that deals with words and phrases concerning a special subject: a science dictionary | a dictionary of place names → compare GLOSSARY, THESAURUS
Dictionary of National Biography, The also the DNB a book produced in the UK which contains short accounts of the lives of important people in British history and society, arranged in alphabetical order
dic·tum /ˈdɪktəm/ n pl. -ta /-tə/, -tums a formal statement of opinion, especially made by a judge in court
did /dɪd/ past tense of DO → see NOT (USAGE)
di·dac·tic /daɪˈdæktɪk, dɪ-/ adj fml 1 (of speech or writing) intended to teach, especially to teach a moral lesson: didactic poetry 2 derog (of a person) too eager to teach or give instructions —ally /-kli/ adv
did·dle /ˈdɪdl/ v [T(out of)] infml to get something from (someone) by dishonest means; cheat
did·dums /ˈdɪdəmz/ interj BrE (a word used to a child to show that one is sorry that they are upset)
Did·dy, P /ˈdɪdi/ (1969–) a US record PRODUCER, musician, and businessman who started and runs his own record LABEL called 'Bad Boy Entertainment'. He had an important influence on HIP-HOP music in the 1990s, and has worked with performers such as Mary J. Blige and the Notorious BIG. In 1999 he was ARRESTED for having a stolen gun in his car, but he was found not guilty. After that, he changed his name from 'Puff Daddy' to 'P Diddy'. His real name is Sean Combs.
P Diddy
did·ger·i·doo /ˌddʒəriˈduː/ n pl. didgeridoos a long WOODWIND instrument played by the Australian Aborigines, which has become well known in Britain because the COMEDIAN and entertainer Rolf HARRIS played it
Did·i·on, Joan /ˈdɪdiən/ (1934–) a US writer best known for A Book of Common Prayer (1977)
did·n't /ˈdɪdnt/ short for did not: You saw him, didn't you?
Di·do¹/'daɪdəʊ/ (1971–) a British female POP singer who has had many successful records in Britain and the US, including Here With Me and Don't Think Of Me
Dido² in ancient Roman stories, the queen of CARTHAGE who loved AENEAS, and who killed herself when he left her → see also AENEID
didst /dɪdst/ thou didst old use or bibl (when talking to one person) you did
die¹ /daɪ/ v died, present participle dying /ˈdaɪ-ɪŋ/ 1 [I(of:L] (of people, animals, and plants) to stop living; become dead: She's very ill and I'm afraid she's dying. | He died in his sleep. (=while he was sleeping) | Three hundred people died in the air crash. | She died of cancer/of hunger. | fig.) His secret died with him. (=was lost when he died) | fig.) My love for you will never die. | He died happy. | She died a rich woman. | to die by one's own hand (=kill oneself) | It was her dying wish (=a wish made as she was dying) to be buried next to her husband. → see Cultural Note at DEATH 2 [I] (of a machine) to stop operating suddenly: The engine spluttered a few times, then died. | The phone just died on me while I was in the middle of a conversation. 3 be dying for/to infml to have a great wish for/to: I'm dying for a cigarette. | We're all dying to hear what happened. 4 die a ... death to die in a particular way: They died a horrible death. 5 die hard (of old beliefs, customs etc) to take a long time to disappear → see also DIEHARD 6 die in one's bed to die quietly at home of old age or illness rather than because of an accident, in war etc 7 die (the death) of a thousand cuts to be killed or destroyed very slowly, as if bleeding to death through many small wounds: Immediate action is needed before legal and advice services die of a thousand cuts. 8 die with one's boots on to die while still working or fighting 9 never say die never admit that you have been defeated and are unable to do something; a phrase used to encourage someone and make them more cheerful: 'I've got no chance, then.' 'Come on, now, never say die! We still haven't tried asking your father.' 10 to one's dying day as long as one lives: I'll remember that awful sight to my dying day. → see also do or die (DO²) 11 I almost/nearly died also I just died AmE spoken used in order to say that you felt very surprised, amused, or embarrassed by something that happened: We were watching the parade on TV and Jess said 'Oh look, there's Heidi.' - I almost died. | I dropped his CDs on the floor, and I just died because I was sure I'd scratched them all. 12 sby/sthg is to die for spoken used about someone you think is very attractive or something that you think is beautiful or extremely good, especially clothing and food: Huston, with a body and wardrobe to die for but an unforgiving face, stars in the new blockbuster. | Their triple chocolate mousse is to die for.
die away phr v [I] (especially of sound, wind, light) to become gradually less and less and finally stop
die back phr v [I] (of a plant) to die but remain alive in the roots
die down phr v [I] (of physical qualities and feelings) to become less strong or violent; SUBSIDE: The fire/The wind is dying down. | The excitement soon died down.
die off phr v [I] (of a group of living things) to die one by one: As she got older and older, her relatives all died off.
die out phr v [I] (of families, races, customs, and ideas) to disappear completely; become EXTINCT: The practice of children working in factories has nearly died out.
die² n 1 a metal block used for shaping metal, plastic etc 2 old or AmE singular of DICE 3 the die is cast the decision or action has been taken and cannot now be changed → see DICE (USAGE)
'die-cast·ing n [C;U] (something made by) the process of making metal objects by forcing (not pouring) the liquid metal under pressure into a MOULD (=a hollow container)
die·hard /ˈdaɪhɑːd||-hɑːrd/ n a person who opposes change and refuses to accept new ideas even when they are good: a diehard conservative | It's no good asking him to join the union; he's a real diehard. → see also die hard (DIE¹)
Di·eppe /diˈep/ a port in northern France, on the English Channel. Boats regularly carry people and cars between Dieppe and the English port of Newhaven.
di·er·e·sis /ˌdaɪərˈiːsɪs, -ˈe-||-ˈe-/ n pl. -ses /-siːz/ DIAERESIS
die·sel /ˈdiːzəl/ also 'diesel ,fuel, 'diesel ,oil n 1 [U] a type of heavy oil used instead of petrol etc in DIESEL ENGINES 2 [C] infml a vehicle that runs on diesel fuel
'diesel ,engine n an engine that burns diesel instead of petrol, often used for buses, trains, and goods vehicles. More cars, especially in the UK, are now beginning to have diesel engines, as diesel is less wasteful than petrol. It is also safer if there is an accident, and causes less POLLUTION.
di·et¹ /ˈdaɪət/ n 1 [C,U] the sort of food and drink usually taken by a person or group: A balanced diet and regular exercise are both important for health. | The poor people in Ireland used to live on a diet of potatoes.
CULTURAL NOTE A healthy diet In recent years, people in the US and UK have become more concerned about the food they eat and the effect it has on their health. People are worried about ADDITIVES (=added chemicals) in food, and many people have reduced the amount of salt, fat, and sugar that they eat in order to lose weight, lower their CHOLESTEROL levels, and reduce their risk of getting HEART DISEASE. → see Cultural Notes at HEALTHY and OBESE
2 [C] a limited list of food and drink that a person is allowed, e.g. one that is controlled for medical reasons: The