diesis

di·e·sis

(dī′ĭ-sĭs)

n. pl. di·e·ses (-sēz′)

[Medieval Latin, semitone (which was indicated by a double dagger), from Latin, quarter tone, from Greek, a letting through, from diīenai, to send through : dia-, dia- + hīenai, to send; see yē- in Indo-European roots.]

diesis

(ˈdaɪɪsɪs)

n, pl -ses (-ˌsiːz)

1. (Printing, Lithography & Bookbinding) printing another name for double dagger

2. (Music, other) music

a. (in ancient Greek theory) any interval smaller than a whole tone, esp a semitone in the Pythagorean scale

b. (in modern theory) the discrepancy of pitch in just intonation between an octave and either a succession of four ascending minor thirds (great diesis), or a succession of three ascending major thirds (minor diesis)

[C16: via Latin from Greek: a quarter tone, literally: a sending through, from diienai; the double dagger was originally used in musical notation]

dou′ble dag′ger

a mark (‡) used for references, as for footnotes.

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Noun

diesis - a character used in printing to indicate a cross reference or footnote

double dagger, double obelisk

grapheme, graphic symbol, character - a written symbol that is used to represent speech; "the Greek alphabet has 24 characters"

References in periodicals archive ?

ONLY one stallion, Johar, occupies the Mill Ridge stallion barn these days, a far cry from the years when Gone West and Diesis headed numerically strong rosters.

Johar the only stallion left on a roster once populated by legends Diesis and Gone West

Cecil says his two-year-old colt is as good as Wollow and Diesis, who were outstanding winners of the Dewhurst

Frankel seems to be in great order -- trainer

Coral left him at 10-1 in their betting for the Cheltenham race after seeing the Diesis gelding cause a few heart flutters to punters who took the odds of 2-9 before he held off Classic Role's determined challenge.

Racing: STRAW BEAR maintaine

The son of Diesis got his 2003 campaign off to a successful start with a three-length victory in a Newbury maiden in April.

Racing: NEWMARKET 1.35

But if you doubt my memory, see Daniel Benjamin's recent article in Slate that demolishes the Rice-Rumsfeld diesis.

My 39 cents

Last month it was the Diesis 100 (the first 100cc scooter produced by Piaggio for the UK market) and this month was the launch of the X9 500 and B125.

DRIVETIME: MOTORING: Piaggio success is a good Runner

Cecil has not won the Dewhurst since Diesis triumphed in 1982, but he said last week that Frankel bore close comparison with that colt.

After all the talk Cecil's colt puts his reputation on the line

Unraced as a juvenile, this daughter of Diesis out of a Sadlers Wells mare is poised to make her debut soon.

STABLE INSIDER: DESIGN PERFECTION

Arlington victory testament to late Mill Ridge stallion DIESIS died nearly four years ago but he remains to the fore even though his final two crops, the youngest of which are now three, consist of just 35 foals.

Million win ensures Diesis still in spotlight; GRADE 1 SUCCESS

Presidium looked to be on his way to attaining the heights set by his halfbrothers Kris, Diesis and Keen when second in the 1984 Mill Reef Stakes, but any fancy aspirations evaporated after a disappointing start to his three-year-old season.

Doubly Sure cross converts into a goal; STAMINA CONUNDRUM

Diesis was pensioned in April 2006 and put down seven months later after fracturing a hip in a paddock accident.

Plenty to like about Diescentric; ABOVE AVERAGE

Highland River is the second winner from three foals out of Bee One, a winning daughter of Catrail from the family of Kris and Diesis.