diesis

noun

di·​esis ˈdī-ə-səs How to pronounce diesis (audio)
plural dieses ˈdī-ə-ˌsēz How to pronounce diesis (audio)

Word History

Etymology

probably from Italian, sharp (in music), symbol for a sharp, from Medieval Latin, quarter tone, from Latin, from Greek, from diiēnai to send through, from dia- + hienai to send — more at jet

First Known Use

circa 1706, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of diesis was circa 1706

Dictionary Entries Near diesis

Cite this Entry

“Diesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diesis. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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