DIASTEMA

TileHead’s Word of the Day for 19 March 2012

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DIASTEMA  (n. pl. DIASTEMAS or DIASTEMATA)

Definition(s):

1. (n.) a gap or space between teeth
2. (n.) a space or fissure in a body part, especially when congenital
3. (n.) an interval or pause, especially in ancient Greek music

Useful information for game players:

• Front hooks: (none)
• Back hooks: -S
• Anagrams: ADAMSITE
• Longer extensions: diastemaTA
• Wraparounds: (none)
• Other Spellings: DIASTEM
• Related Forms: (none)

Epilogue:
Now you know: DIASTEMA is the name for that gap between teeth that some people have, most commonly between the two upper incisors.  The word passed into English from Latin, derived  from the Greek diastema, meaning “interval” or “space between.”  DIASTEM is another spelling of the same word, and comes from the same source, though it also has an independent meaning pertaining to an interruption in geologic sedimentation.


Theme:
This week we will cast our eyes on some unusual words pertaining to human anatomy


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