dint
/dɪnt/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪnt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈdint/ (ame, mw)
dint — noun
- dintsingular
- dintsplural
1. used in the fixed phrase 'by dint of' to say that a result is achieved through a
used in the fixed phrase 'by dint of' to say that a result is achieved through a particular quality or action, especially continuous effort, determination, or hard work.
Mei-Lin got the promotion by dint of working late every evening for two years.
by dint of + gerund phrase for effort
Javier bought his first house by dint of saving a little money each month for a decade.
Amara passed the difficult exam by dint of studying every evening for six months.
The small team finished the huge project on time by dint of working weekends and public holidays.
- through
neutral and more common; less formal than 'by dint of'
- by means of
similar register but focuses on method rather than effort
- via
informal; typically describes a route or medium, not personal effort
文法句型
by dint of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Fixed expression: the object of 'of' is always a noun or gerund describing a personal quality or sustained activity, not an external circumstance. Common in written British English; in casual conversation, 'through' or 'by means of' is preferred.
常見錯誤
2. a small hollow or dip in a hard, flat surface such as metal, wood, or plastic, c
a small hollow or dip in a hard, flat surface such as metal, wood, or plastic, caused by something pressing against it or hitting it.
Fatima noticed a small dint on the car door where another vehicle had bumped into it.
collocation: dint on + vehicle surface
When the box fell off the shelf, it left an ugly dint in the wooden floor.
Yuki ran her finger over the dint in the steel table, wondering how it got there.
Dmitri tried to repair the dint in his bicycle frame by hammering it out from inside.
- dent
far more frequent in modern usage; identical meaning
- indentation
slightly more technical; can refer to any recessed mark
- dimple
used for small, shallow dents on smooth surfaces, or on the face
- hollow
a broader term for any sunken area, not necessarily caused by impact
文法句型
a dint in + noun phrase
用法筆記
Less common than 'dent', which is the preferred spelling in modern English for this meaning. 'Dint' survives mainly in British English and in fixed expressions such as 'by dint of'.
常見錯誤
dint — verb
- dintpresent simple I / you / we / they
- dints3rd person singular
- dinting-ing form
- dintedpast simple
1. to press or hit a hard surface such that it develops a small hollow mark or dent
to press or hit a hard surface such that it develops a small hollow mark or dent.
A falling branch dinted the roof of Kenji's car during the heavy storm.
transitive: falling object dints surface
Sofia accidentally dinted her new aluminium saucepan when she dropped it on the stone floor.
The heavy cardboard box dinted the wall of the packing crate when it fell sideways.
Olusola dinted the copper pipe while trying to loosen it with a spanner.
文法句型
dint + object (surface)
用法筆記
Transitive only; the subject is whatever causes the dent (a falling object, a tool, a person), and the object is the hard surface affected. In modern usage, 'dent' is far more common as a verb with the same meaning.
常見錯誤
2. to force something such as a nail, stamp, or tool into a hard surface with a sha
to force something such as a nail, stamp, or tool into a hard surface with a sharp blow, leaving a mark or making it penetrate.
The blacksmith dinted a decorative pattern into the copper plate with a small chisel.
pattern: dint + object + into + surface
Hassan dinted the nail deep into the oak beam with a single strong blow of the hammer.
The factory press dinted the company logo into each leather wallet before packing.
A heavy stone fell from the wall and dinted a deep hollow into the soft earth below.
文法句型
dint + object + into + surface
用法筆記
The object is what is driven in (nail, stamp, tool), and the preposition 'into' introduces the target surface. This sense emphasises the force of the action more than the resulting mark does.