%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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The mark left by a blow; an indentation or impression made by violence; a dent. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Every dint a sword had beaten in it [ the shield ]. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Force; power; -- esp. in the phrase by dint of. [ 1913 Webster ]

Now you weep; and, I perceive, you feel
The dint of pity. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

It was by dint of passing strength
That he moved the massy stone at length. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]