Hit dice

hit dice, hit die, n., D&Dism 1. in D&D, the number of dice used to determine hit points. Also hit die. 2. in gamer lingo, in reference to any die-based combat in any game, same as def. #1. [SLR]
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Addendum #1: The original definition for hit dice, written by me, was heinously, egregiously wrong. I received the following note: [EDE] Hit dice has nothing to do with dice rolls, "to-hit" rolls, or probability or success. It is the number of "dice" used to determine hit points. A monster with "5 hit dice" has 5d8 hit points. That applies mostly to monsters, since they're all made with 8-sided dice, and is the monster equivalent to experience levels, though they never increase. Characters use dice according to class.
A funny thing about this, at least in classic D&D (the red booklet) stated that a "Normal Man", which basically means a guy who doesn't have a class and is of level 0 -- a commoner, peasant, innkeeper, whatever -- has "1 hit die", 1 to 8 hit points. If he gains "experience points" in any way, like stepping on a rat, he becomes a character, must choose a class and becomes level 1. The stupid part is that in most cases, unless he chooses to become a fighter (or Dwarf, which I don't think is possible, or at least probable) he will begin with less hit points than when he was a "nobody." [SLR]
Addendum #2: "Hit Die (HD): A die rolled to generate a creature's hit point total. The term Hit Dice is synonymous with character level for spells, magic items, and magical effects that affect a certain number of Hit Dice of creatures." -- Appendix: General Guidelines & Glossary, page 275, Dungeons & Dragons Player Guide (3rd Ed.). [EDE]