noun
dint
DINT/dɪnt/
Means or effort by which something is achieved.
The gardener breaks through stony ground by dint of persistent digging.
Etymology
Dynt was a blow struck in fighting, especially with a sword. That concrete force became abstract in “by dint of,” meaning through the force, means, or effort of something.
In context
by force; for when there is a fit of madness upon him, even though the shepherds offer it freely, he will not accept it but snatches it from them by dint of blows;
More examples
- They finish the project by dint of hard work.
- By dint of careful budgeting, we keep our expenses down.
- He wins her support by dint of patient persuasion.
Forms
dint