die-off

[ dahy-awf, -of ]

noun

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

die-off

/ dī′ôf′ /

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