diastema

[ dahy-uh-stee-muh ]
/ ˌdaɪ əˈsti mə /

noun, plural di·a·ste·ma·ta [dahy-uh-stee-muh-tuh] /ˌdaɪ əˈsti mə tə/.

Cell Biology. the modified protoplasm at the equator of a cell, existing before mitotic division.
Dentistry. a space between two teeth, especially a space between a canine and an incisor of the upper jaw into which a lower canine occludes.

Origin of diastema

1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin < Greek: interval, equivalent to diastē, variant stem of diastánai to stand apart + -ma noun suffix denoting the result of action

Example sentences from the Web for diastema

British Dictionary definitions for diastema

diastema
/ (ˌdaɪəˈstiːmə) /

noun plural -mata (-mətə)

an abnormal space, fissure, or cleft in a bodily organ or part
a gap between the teeth

Word Origin for diastema

C19: New Latin, from Greek: gap, from diistanai to separate; see diastasis

Medical definitions for diastema

diastema
[ dī′ə-stēmə ]

n. pl. di•a•ste•ma•ta (-mə-tə)

A fissure or abnormal opening in a part, especially when congenital.
A gap or space between two adjacent teeth in the same dental arch.