diarian 
You take a name ; Philander's odes are seen, 
Printed, and prais'd, in every magazine ; 
Diarian sages greet their brother sage, 
And your dark pages please th' enlighten'd age. 
Ct'abbe, News-paper. 
diarist (di'a-rist), n. [< diary + -ist.~\ One 
who keeps a diary. 
Incidents written down by a monk in his cell, or by a di- 
arist pacing the round with majesty, would be equally 
warped by the views of the monastery in the one case, or 
by a nattering subservience to the higher power in the 
other. /. D'Israeli, Amen, of Lit., I. 274. 
William [of JIalmesbnry] stands next in order of time 
after Bede in the series of our historical writers, properly 
so called, as distinguished from mere compilers and dia- 
rists. Craili, Hist. Eng. Lit. 
diarize (di'a-riz), v. t. or i. ; pret. and pp. dia- 
rized, ppr. diarizing. [< diary + -4ze.] To re- 
cord in a diary; write a diary. 
The history that the earliest men of New England wrote 
was what we may call contemporaneous history ; it was 
historical diarizing. M. C. Tyler, Hist. Amer. Lit., 1. 116. 
diarrhea, diarrhoea (di-a-re'a), n. [= F. diar- 
rliee = Sp. diarrea = Pg. diarrhea = It. diarrea 
= D. diarrhoea = G. diarrhtie = Dan. Sw. diar- 
rhe, < LL. diarrhoea, < Gr. dtdppoia, diarrhea, lit. 
a flowing through, < Siappeiv, flow through, < &ia, 
through, + 'pelv, flow.] A morbidly frequent 
evacuation of the bowels, generally arising 
from inflammation or irritation of the mucous 
membrane of the intestines, and commonly 
caused by errors in regimen, as the use of food 
hurtful from its quantity or quality ; intestinal 
catarrh. 
diarrheal, diarrhoeal (di-a-re'al), a. [< diar- 
rhea, diarrhoea, + -al.] Pertaining to or re- 
sulting from diarrhea; having the character of 
or characterizing diarrhea; catarrhal, with ref- 
erence to the intestines. 
That three thousand and more individuals, mostly chil- 
dren, died from diarrhoeal diseases, does not surprise one 
who is familiar with the intense heat of our summer. 
Science, IX. 86. 
diarrheic, diarrhoeic (dl-a-re'ik), . [< diar- 
rhea, diarrhoea, + -ic.] Of, pertaining to, or of 
the nature of diarrhea : as, a diarrheic flux. 
diarrhetic, diarrhcetic (di-a-ret'ik), a. [Irreg. 
< diarrhea, diarrhoea, + -t-ic.] Same as diar- 
rheic. 
diarthrodial (dl-ar-thro'di-al), a. [< diarthro- 
sis, after arthrodial.] Pertaining to or of the 
nature of diarthrosis : as, a diarthrodial articu- 
lation ; diarthrodial movement. 
diarthromere (dl-ar'thro-mer), n. [< Gr. Si-, 
two-, + arthromcre, q. V.*] A vertebrate meta- 
mere ; the typical double-ring or figure-8 seg- 
ment of the body of a vertebrate animal, cor- 
responding to a theoretically complete vertebra 
and its accompaniments. Cones, 1868. 
diarthromeric (di-ar-thro-mer'ik), a. [< diar- 
thromere + -ic.] Of or pertaining to a diar- 
thromere or metamere of a vertebrate. Coues. 
diarthrosis (dl-ar-thro'sis), n. ', pi. diarthroses 
(-sez). [NL., < Gr. 6idp6poaig, division by joints, 
articulation, < 6iap6povv, divide by joints, < <5<d, 
between, + dpBpovv, join, articulate, < apSpov, 
a joint. Cf. arthrosis.] In anat., that articula- 
tion of bones which leaves them free to move 
in some or any direction ; free, as distinguished 
from fixed, arthrosis; thorough-joint: applied 
both to the joints themselves and to the motion 
resulting from such mechanism. The principal 
kinds of articulation thus designated are enarthrosis, or 
ball-and-socket joint, the freest of all, as seen in the hip 
and shoulder ; ginglymus, or hinge-joint, as in the elbow 
and knee ; and cyclarthrosis, or pivot-joint. See arthro- 
sis. Also called abarthrosis. Rotatory diarthrosis. 
Same as cyclarthrosis. 
diary (di'a-ri), a. and n. [< L. as if *diarius, 
adj. (only as noun: see II.), < dies, day: see 
II-] I.t a. Lasting for one day: as, a diary 
fever. Bacon. 
II. . ; pi. diaries (-riz). [= Sp. Pg. It. diario, 
< L. diarium, a daily allowance for soldiers, LL. 
also a diary, neut. of "diarius, adj., < dies, day: 
see dial, deity. The synonym journalis of the 
same ult. origin.] 1. An account of daily 
events or transactions ; a journal ; specifically, 
a daily record kept by a person of any or all 
matters within his experience or observation : 
as, a diary of the weather ; a traveler's diary. 
In sea-voyages, where there is nothing to be seen but 
sky and sea, men . . . make diaries; but in land-travel, 
wherein so much is to be observed, . . . they omit it. 
Bacon, Travel. 
2. A book prepared for keeping a diary ; espe- 
cially, a book with blank leaves bearing printed 
dates for a daily record, often including other 
printed matter of current use or interest : as, 
a lawyers' diary. 
1596 
This is my diary, 
Wherein I note my actions of the day. 
B. Jonson, Volpone, iv. 1. 
diasceuast, . See diasTceuast. 
cliaschisma (di-a-skiz'ma), n. [NL., < Gr. (5m- 
nxiajLa, anything cloven, in music half the di- 
esis, < 6iaax%t'v, cleave, sever, < &ia, asunder, + 
axi&iv, cut, separate: see schism.] 1. In anc. 
Gr. music, a minute interval whose size is vari- 
ously given. 2. In modern music, the larger 
subdivision of a syntonie comma (see comma, 
5, 6), represented by the ratio 2048 : 2025. In 
strict intonation it is the interval between C and D m. A 
diaschisma and aschisma together equal a syntonie comma. 
diascordium (di-a-sk6r'di-um), re. ; pi. diascor- 
dia (-a). [< Gr. Sid, through, + cn6p6iov, a cer- 
tain plant : see scordium.] An electuary in the 
composition of which the plant scordium or wa- 
ter-germander formed an important element. 
Dunglison. 
With their syrups, and their julaps, and diascordium, 
and mithridate, and my lady what-shall-call-'um's pow- 
der. Scott, Abbot, xxvi. 
diasia (dl-a'si-a), n.pl. [< Gr. A/dma, pi., < Zrff 
(gen. AioY), Zeus.] An ancient Attic festival 
in honor of Zeus Meilichios (the Propitious), 
celebrated without the walls, with sacrifices 
and rejoicing, in the latter half of the month 
Arthesteriou (beginning of March). 
diaskeuasis (di-a-sku'a-sis), n. [NL., as if < Gr. 
* 6iaaKcvaatf, < itaoKev6,'ta>, revise : see diasken- 
ast.~\ Eevision; editing. 
The authorship of this work is aptly attributed to Vyasa, 
' the arranger," the personification of Indian diaskeuasis. 
Eiwyc. Brit., XXI. 281. 
diaskeuast (dl-a-sku'ast), . [< Gr. 6iameva- 
VT>K, a reviser, "an interpolator, < itacucevd&iv, 
get quite ready, set in order, revise for publi- 
cation, < Sid, through, + oKevd^ctv, make ready, 
prepare, < OKSvof, implement, tool, equipment.] 
A reviser; an interpolator: used especially 
with reference to old recensions of Greek writ- 
ings. Also written diascenast. 
I should be inclined to suspect the hand of the dias- 
keuast in this passage more than in almost any other of 
the poems. Gladstone, Studies on Homer, II. 83. 
But these fables only purport to be Babrius spoiled, 
after having passed through the hands of a diasceuast : 
that is, some late writer who has turned his verses into 
barbarous Greek and wretched metre. 
Encyc. Brit., III. 181. 
Diaspinae (di-as-pi'ne), n. pi. [NL., < Diaspis 
+ -inai.] A subfamily of Coccidce, typified by 
the genus Diaspis; the scale-lice. Also written 
Named Diaspina from its principal genus, Diaspis. It 
contains some of the most pernicious insects in existence, 
which, by reason of their vast multiplicity, ruin or destroy 
whole orchards of valuable fruit trees, or groves of shade 
trees. Stand. Nat. Hist., II. 214. 
Diaspis (di-as'pis), n. [NL., < Gr. Sid, through, 
+ aoTivf, a shield.] The typical genus of scale- 
insects of the subfamily Diaspince. 
diaspora (dl-as'po-ra), n. [< Gr. diaairopd, a scat- 
tering, dispersion, collectively, in the Septua- 
gint and New Testament, the dispersed Jews, < 
dtaaireipeiv, scatter, sow abroad, < did, through- 
out, + airetpuv, scatter, sow.] The dispersion 
of the Jews; among the Hellenistic Jews and 
in the New Testament, the whole body of 
Jews living scattered among the Gentiles after 
the Babylonian captivity: also used by the 
Jewish Christians of the apostolic age for their 
fellow Christians outside of Palestine (rendered 
"the strangers" in the authorized version of 
1 Pet. i. 1, and ' ' the Dispersion " in the revised 
version). 
The development of Judaism in the diaspora differed 
in important points from that in Palestine. 
Encyc. Brit., XVIII. 760. 
diaspore (di'a-spor), n. [< Gr. diaairopd, a scat- 
tering : see diaspora.] A hydrate of aluminium 
occurring in crystals and foliated masses, color- 
less or of a pearly gray. It is infusible, and a small 
fragment placed in the name of a candle, or exposed to 
the flame of the blowpipe, almost instantly decrepitates 
and is dispersed : hence its name. 
diaspret, . [< ML. diasprus, diaper, jasper: 
see diaper, jasper. ] Same as jasper. 
Great stones like to Corneolaes, Granats, Agats, Diaspry, 
Calcidonij, Hematists, and some kinde of naturall Dia- 
monds. Hakluyt's Voyages, II. 216. 
diaspront (dl-as'pron), n. [ML., var. of dias- 
prtis, diaper, jasper, etc. : see diaper.'] Same 
as diaper. 
diastaltic (di-a-stal'tik), a. [< Gr. Siaarafci^, 
able to distinguish, in music able to expand or 
exalt the mind, < tSiaare /ttt>, dilate, expand, the ictus : as, 
distinguish, < fid, apart, + areUeiv, send.] In 
Gr. music, dilated or extended: applied both 
diastole 
to particular intervals and to a general heroic 
quality in a melody. 
diastase (di'a-stas), n. [< P. diastase, diastase, 
lit. separation (see def.), < Gr. Siaaraaif, sepa- 
ration: see diastasis.J A substance existing in 
barley, oats, wheat, and potatoes after germi- 
nation. It is obtained by digesting in a mixture of three 
parts of water and one of alcohol, at a temperature of 
113, a certain quantity of germinated barley ground and 
dried in the open air, and then putting the whole under 
pressure and filtering it. Diastase is solid, white, and 
soluble in water and diluted alcohol, but insoluble in 
strong alcohol. In solution it possesses the property of 
causing starch to break up at the temperature of 150, 
transforming it first into dextrin and then into sugar. 
diastasis (dl-as'ta-sis), . ; pi. diaslases (-sez). 
[NL., < Gr. rfmoracr/f, a separation, < dtaaTf/vai, 
pres. SuardvaL, separate, cause to stand apart, < 
Sid, apart, + oTijvat, pres. iardvai, cause to stand, 
= E. sta-nd."] Forcible separation of bones 
without fracture, as the result of external me- 
chanical injury or direct violence ; dislocation ; 
luxation. 
diastatic (di-a-stat'ik), a. [< Gr. SianrmMOf, 
separative (cf. didaraoic, separation: see dias- 
tase), < Siaarf/vat, pres. ouardvai, separate: see 
diastasis."] Of or pertaining to diastase ; pos- 
sessing the properties of diastase: as, a dia- 
static ferment. 
diastatically (dl-a-stat'i-kal-i), adv. In the 
manner of diastase. 
The quantity of the diastatically acting albuminous 
substances increases with the progress of germination. 
Thausing, Beer (trans.), p. 291. 
diastem (di'a-stem), n. [< LL. diastema, inter- 
val : see diastema.] Same as diastema, 2. 
diastema (dl-a-ste'ma), n. ; pi. diastemata (-ma- 
ta). [LL., an interval, esp. in music, < Gr. Sia- 
aTJifia, an interval, difference, < Staoryiiai, sepa- 
rate: see diastasis.] 1. In zool. and anat., an 
interval between any two consecutive teeth, es- 
pecially between any two series or kinds of 
teeth, as between the canines and premolars or 
incisors, or among the incisors, as in many bats. 
When there are no canines, as in rodents, diastema occurs 
between the incisors and the premolars. It necessarily 
occurs when opposing teeth are so long that they cross 
each other when the mouth is shut. Man is notable as 
having normally no diastemata, his teeth forming a con- 
tinuous series, and being all of approximately equal 
lengths. But the same is the case with some other mam- 
mals, as in the genera Tarsius and A-noplutherium. 
2. In anc. Gr. music, an interval. Also diastem. 
diaster (di-as'ter), re. [< Gr. 6t-, two-, + aorrip, 
star.] In biol., a double star; the caryoeinetic 
figure which results from the aster of a nucleus 
before this separates into two nuclei. See aster 
and caryocinesis. Also dyaster. 
A polar star is seen at each end of the nucleus-spindle, 
and is not to be confused with the diaster. 
E. S. Lankester, Encyc. Brit., XIX. 833. 
diastimeter (di-a-stim'e-ter), re. [Prop. *dias- 
tasimeter, < Gr. Staaractt;, distance, interval (< 
fuardvai, Sianrijvai, stand apart), + /itrpov, a 
measure.] An instrument for measuring dis- 
tances. E. H. Kniglit. 
diastole (di-as'to-le), n, [LL., < Gr. SiaaToZr/, 
dilatation, expansion, lengthening of a syllable, 
< diaareAfaiv, dilate, expand, put asunder: see 
diastaltic.] 1. The normal rhythmical dilata- 
tion or relaxation of the heart or other blood- 
vessel, which alternates with systole or con- 
traction, the two movements together consti- 
tuting pulsation or beating : as, auricular dias- 
tole; ventricular diastole. The term is also extended 
to some other pulsating organs, as lymph-hearts, and spe- 
cifically to the expanding action of the contractile vesicle 
of infusorians and other protozoans. 
2. The period or length of time during which 
a rhythmically pulsating vessel is relaxed or 
dilated; the time-interval which alternates 
with systole. 3. In Gr. gram., a mark similar 
in position and shape to a comma, but origi- 
nally semicircular in form, used to indicate the 
correct separation of words, and guard against 
a false division, such as might pervert the 
sense. Such a sign was needed to obviate the confusion 
arising from the ancient practice of writiim without divi- 
sion between words. The diastole is still occasionally 
used, generally in order to distinguish the pronominal 
foims O,TI and o,rt, 'whatever, which,' from the particles 
6-n, 'that,' and ore, 'when.' The usual practice at present, 
however, is to use a space instead of the diastole. When 
the present shape of the comma came into use, more or 
less confusion between it and the diastole necessarily en- 
sued. Also called hmiodiattole. See 
4. In anc. pros., lengthening or protraction of 
a syllable regularly short ; especially, protrac- 
tion of a syllable preceding a pause or taking 
Ire negabamus et tecta ignota subire. 
Odd, Metamorph., xiv. 250. 
