diastema

noun

di·​a·​ste·​ma ˌdī-ə-ˈstē-mə How to pronounce diastema (audio)
plural diastemas or diastemata ˌdī-ə-ˈstē-mə-tə How to pronounce diastema (audio)
: a space between teeth in a jaw

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Late Latin, interval, from Greek diastēma, from diistanai

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of diastema was in 1854

Dictionary Entries Near diastema

Cite this Entry

“Diastema.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diastema. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

diastema

noun
di·​a·​ste·​ma ˌdī-ə-ˈstē-mə How to pronounce diastema (audio)
plural diastemas or diastemata -mət-ə How to pronounce diastema (audio)
: a space between teeth in a jaw
diastematic adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on diastema

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!