Diastema

Pronunciation

• IPA: /daɪəˈstiːmÉ™/

Origin

From Late Latin, from Ancient Greek διάστημα (diástēma, "interval, space between"). Compare diastasis.

Full definition of diastema

Noun

1. A gap or space between two adjacent teeth, especially the upper front incisors (in humans). In other species, a diastema refers to a gap between teeth of different types, e.g. incisors and molars, which is a feature of some rodents and ungulates.
• 1968, Anthony Burgess, Enderby Outside:A gormless-looking boy, thin and exhibiting diastemata in the shop-front lights, offered him English newspapers.
2. In pathology, a diastema may refer to any an abnormal space, fissure, or cleft in an organ or part of the body.
3. In cell biology, the diastema is the modified protoplasm at the equator of a cell, existing before mitotic division.

Derived terms

• diastematic

Anagrams

• adamites
• adamsite