Etymology : Middle English diademe, from Old French, from Latin diadema, from Greek diadEma, from diadein to bind around, from dia- + dein to bind; akin to Sanskrit dAman rope
Pronunciation : 'dI-&-"dem, -d&m
Function : noun
Date : 13th century
1. crown; decorative wreath; item that decorate like a crown. diadem\di"a*dem\ , n. [f. diadème, l. diadema, fr. gr. , fr. to bind round; dia` through, across + to bind; cf. skr. dā to bind.].
2. originally, an ornamental head band or fillet, worn by eastern monarchs as a badge of royalty; hence (later), also, a crown, in general. "the regal diadem.".
3. regal power; sovereignty; empire; -- considered as symbolized by the crown.
4. (her.) an arch rising from the rim of a crown (rarely also of a coronet), and uniting with others over its center.diadem lemur. (zo?l.) see:
indri.diadem spider (zo?l.), the garden spider.diadem \di"a*dem\, v. t. to adorn with a diadem; to crown. not so, when diadem'd with rays divine. to terminate the evil, to diadem the right. h. neale.
5. Originally, an ornamental head band or fillet, worn by Eastern monarchs as a badge of royalty; hence , also, a crown, in general.
6. Regal power; sovereignty; empire; considered as symbolized by the crown.
7. An arch rising from the rim of a crown , and uniting with others over its center.
8. To adorn with a diadem; to crown.
9. A diadem is a small crown with precious stones in it. a circle of jewels that a queen, princess etc wears on her head (diadein ).