‖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 ]