Talk:dice

Singular usage

The second definition says "An alternative singular of die when the plural is dice". What does "when the plural is dice" mean?? --Chealer 19:51, 21 December 2011 (UTC)

It means "for such meanings of die as have the plural dice" and should probably be reworded.​—msh210℠ (talk) 20:05, 21 December 2011 (UTC)

 Done DCDuring TALK 15:47, 4 September 2012 (UTC)

Etymology

Why the different pronunciation? Has it always been a rhyme with mice etc? Why aren't all the plurals dies? Where does this plural spelling come from? DCDuring TALK 15:34, 4 September 2012 (UTC)

etymonline says:

early 14c., des, dys, plural of dy (see die (n.)), altered 14c. to dyse, dyce, and 15c. to dice. "As in pence, the plural s retains its original breath sound, probably because these words were not felt as ordinary plurals, but as collective words" [OED]. Sometimes used as singular 1400-1700. The verb "to cut into cubes" is first recorded late 14c.; meaning "to play at dice" is from early 15c. Related: Diced.

--WikiTiki89 (talk) 15:39, 4 September 2012 (UTC)

Deletion debate

The following information has failed Wiktionary's deletion process.

It should not be re-entered without careful consideration.

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dice

Sense: (proscribed} An alternative singular of die, for such meanings of die as have the plural dice.

I think all the senses are defined elsewhere at the PoS section. The usage notes attempt to explain the state of usage opinion, but could use some work. There are ample citations in the entry and on the citation page for "a dice" and the plural "dices". DCDuring TALK 03:29, 4 September 2012 (UTC)

Strong keep. There is widespread long-term use of the word to mean a single die. The word die is rarely used, and it is for us to reflect usage, not to correct it according to outdated rules.--Dmol (talk) 06:48, 4 September 2012 (UTC)

@Dmol, the sense above this one is "a die". Mglovesfun (talk) 07:23, 4 September 2012 (UTC)

Struck out my comments, wasn't paying attention in class. Still think the word should be defined at dice and not die.--Dmol (talk) 07:53, 4 September 2012 (UTC)

I think the entry should be remain at [[die]], with (deprecated template usage) dice being an alternative singular. I also think that dices is a rare alternative plural of dice, with dice remaining as the usual plural. --WikiTiki89 (talk) 09:07, 4 September 2012 (UTC)

I wouldn't have listed this at rfd. It would seem uncontroversial enough to merge the two senses that listing it isn't necessary, or instead list it at WT:RFC if the user in question feels he or she is unable to effectuate the merge. Mglovesfun (talk) 09:10, 4 September 2012 (UTC)

I had made several changes to the entry and wanted others to opine. Apparently I need more chutzpah than I have. DCDuring TALK 11:42, 4 September 2012 (UTC)

• Delete sense. Complete no brainer, there are two senses with the same meaning. Obviously one needs to go. SpinningSpark 16:40, 27 June 2013 (UTC)

Redundant sense deleted. Improve the definition further if needed. - -sche (discuss) 20:25, 27 June 2013 (UTC)