Dint

[A-S. & Icel. dynt, stroke, blow, Icel. dynta, to shake.]

1Sense 1. A blow; stroke. [Obs.] “Mortal dint.” Milton. “Like thunder’s dint.” Fairfax.

2Sense 2. The mark left by a blow; an indentation or impression made by violence.

His hands had made a dint. Dryden.

By dint of, by the force or power of; by means of.

*It was by dint of passing strength That he moved the massy stone at length. W. Scott.*

[imp. & p. p. DINTED; p. pr. & vb. n. DINTING.] To make a mark or cavity on, by a blow or by pressure.