‖n. [ Gr. &unr_;. See Diaspore. ] Lit., “Dispersion.” -- applied collectively: (a) To those Jews who, after the Exile, were scattered through the Old World, and afterwards to Jewish Christians living among heathen. Cf. James i. 1. (b) By extension, to Christians isolated from their own communion, as among the Moravians to those living, usually as missionaries, outside of the parent congregation. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ From Gr. &unr_; a scattering; dia` through, asunder + &unr_; to sow, scatter like seed: cf. F. diaspore. ] (Min.) A hydrate of alumina, often occurring in white lamellar masses with brilliant pearly luster; -- so named on account of its decrepitating when heated before the blowpipe. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_; separation, fr. &unr_;, &unr_; to stand apart; dia` through + &unr_;, &unr_;, to stand, set: cf. F. diastase. Cf. Diastasis. ] (Physiol. Chem.) A soluble enzyme, capable of converting starch and dextrin into sugar. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The name is more particularly applied to that enzyme formed during the germination of grain, as in the malting of barley; but it is also occasionally used to designate the amylolytic enzyme contained in animal fluids, as in the saliva. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Pertaining to, or consisting of, diastase; as, diastasic ferment. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ NL. See Diastase. ] (Surg.) A forcible separation of bones without fracture. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Gr. &unr_; separative. See Diastase. ] (Physiol. Chem.) Relating to diastase; having the properties of diastase; effecting the conversion of starch into sugar. [ 1913 Webster ]

The influence of acids and alkalies on the diastatic action of saliva. Lauder Brunton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. diastema, Gr. &unr_;, fr. &unr_;: cf. F. diastème. ] (a) Intervening space; interval. (b) (Anc. Mus.) An interval. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ L. See Diastem. ] (Anat.) A vacant space, or gap, esp. between teeth in a jaw. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. di- = di`s- twice + &unr_; star. ] (Biol.) A double star; -- applied to the nucleus of a cell, when, during cell division, the loops of the nuclear network separate into two groups, preparatory to the formation of two daughter nuclei. See Karyokinesis. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ L., fr. Gr. &unr_;, fr. &unr_; to put asunder, to separate; dia` through + &unr_; to set, to place. ] 1. (Physiol.) The rhythmical expansion or dilatation of the heart and arteries; -- correlative to systole, or contraction. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Gram.) A figure by which a syllable naturally short is made long. [ 1913 Webster ]