die /dai/ vi. 1. 死，死亡： All living things must die.所有的生物都要死亡。He died for the country. 他为国牺牲了。(可用于进行时表示“垂危”) They could see he was dying. 他们看得出他已命在旦夕。 2.(口语)迫切想做某事: He is dying to see you. 他很想见你。He was dying for a cigarette. 他很想抽烟。3.用于短语动词 die away 消逝：The noise died away.声音慢慢消逝了。die down (慢慢地)熄灭，平静下来了：The fire died down. 火慢慢地熄灭。The wind has died down a bit.风息了一点。 die of 死于(表示由于内部原因、疾病而死)： He died of old age (sorrow, a cancer).他因年老(忧伤、患癌症)而死。die from 死于 (常表示因外部、偶然原因而死，也可表示因疾病而死)： She died from a wound (an accident, a fall off the tree). 她受伤(因车祸，从树上掉下来)死了。 die off 绝种：The species is dying off.这种动物快绝种了。 die out 熄灭，绝种：The fire died out. 火灭了。These animals have already died out. 这类动物已绝种了。［注］die 还可用作系动词后接形容词或名词: He died happy. 他死而无憾。 She died a rich woman. 她死时还是很有钱的。
［辨析］die 是表示“死”的最简单、最明确和最直接说法。expire6指从肺里呼出气体，婉指最后一次呼吸。pass away委婉指人死去，有转生来世的意味。perish6多作书面语，指夭折或暴卒，常用来表达完全的毁坏和腐朽。
