/duy'euh stee"meuh/ , n. , pl. diastemata /-meuh teuh/ .
1. Cell Biol. the modified protoplasm at the equator of a cell, existing before mitotic division.
2. Dentistry. a space between two teeth, esp. a space between a canine and an incisor of the upper jaw into which a lower canine occludes.
[ 1350-1400; ME diaste, var. s. of diastánai to stand apart + -ma n. suffix denoting the result of action ]