The phrase "died away" refers to the gradual fading of a sound or sensation. The spelling of this phrase is consistent with the typical English pronunciation rules, with the "d" sound being followed by a long "i" sound and a soft "d," as in the word "died." The final syllable, "away," is spelled as it is pronounced, with a long "a" sound and a soft "w" sound. In IPA phonetic transcription, the phrase is transcribed as /daɪd əˈweɪ/.
The phrasal verb "died away" refers to an action or sound gradually diminishing or fading into silence or insignificance. It implies a gradual decrease in volume, intensity, or activity until it eventually ceases.
When something "dies away," it usually refers to a sound or noise that dissipates slowly, becoming increasingly faint in magnitude. For example, the roar of a thunderstorm dying away as it moves further away or the fading sound of applause after a performance ends. Similarly, it can describe the gradual decline of a voice or conversation as it dissipates and becomes quieter, eventually being replaced by silence.
Another context where "died away" can be used is to depict the gradual decline or disappearance of a particular action or event. For instance, a social trend or fashion could be said to have "died away" when it gradually loses popularity over time. It can also signify the diminishing presence or influence of something as it becomes less significant or relevant.
Overall, "died away" conveys a sense of gradual fading, diminishing, or disappearing, whether it pertains to sounds, voices, activities, or ideas. It encapsulates the idea of something slowly losing strength, intensity, or prominence until it finally ceases to exist or becomes barely perceptible.
The word "died away" is a combination of two words: "died" and "away". The etymology of "died" can be traced back to the Old English word "dēad", which meant "dead" or "lifeless". It evolved from the Proto-Germanic word "dauþaz" and shares common ancestry with other Germanic languages such as German "tot" and Dutch "dood".
The word "away" is derived from the Old English word "aweg" or "onweg", which meant "from this place", "off", or "so as to be away". It has roots in the Proto-Germanic word "awegoz" and is related to the Old Norse word "ǫðr", meaning "out".
When combined, "died away" refers to something gradually disappearing, diminishing, or ceasing to exist.