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.
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2. The mark left by a blow; an indentation or impression made by violence; a dent. Dryden.
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Every dint a sword had beaten in it [the shield]. Tennyson.
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3. Force; power; -- esp. in the phrase by dint of.
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Now you weep; and, I perceive, you feel
The dint of pity. Shak.
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It was by dint of passing strength
That he moved the massy stone at length. Sir W. Scott.
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