die-off

[dahy-awf, -of]

noun

1. a sudden, natural perishing of large numbers of a species, population, or community.

die-off

1. A sudden, severe decline in a population or community of organisms as a result of natural causes. Local die-offs can be caused by such factors as an unusual or extreme weather pattern, an outbreak of disease, or toxic algal blooms in a body of water. Widespread or global die-offs in which a species or group of species becomes extinct are generally associated with rapid climate change or other large-scale environmental dislocations.

Word History and Origins

Origin of die-off¹

First recorded in 1935–40; noun use of verb phrase die off

Idioms and Phrases

Perish one by one, as in A celibate community, the Shakers are dying off. [Late 1600s]

Related Words

• abate 
• decrease 
• diminish 
• dwindle 
• ebb 
• fade 
• fall back 
• lessen 
• reduce 
• retreat 
• shrink 
• sink 
• subside 
• taper 
• wane