diastole

[ dahy-as-tl-ee, -tl-ee ]

noun

1. Physiology. the normal rhythmical dilatation of the heart during which the chambers are filling with blood. Compare systole ( def 1 ).
2. Prosody. the lengthening of a syllable regularly short, especially before a pause or at the ictus.

diastole

/ ˌdaɪəˈstɒlɪk; daɪˈæstəlɪ /

noun

1. the dilatation of the chambers of the heart that follows each contraction, during which they refill with blood Compare systole

diastole

/ dī-ăs′tə-lē /

1. The period during the normal beating of the heart in which the chambers of the heart dilate and fill with blood. Diastole of the atria occurs before diastole of the ventricles.
2. Compare systole

Derived Forms

• diastolic, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of diastole¹

1570–80; < Late Latin diastolē < Greek diastolḗ a putting asunder, dilation, lengthening; compare diastéllein to set apart, equivalent to dia- dia- + stéllein to put, place

Word History and Origins

Origin of diastole¹

C16: via Late Latin from Greek: an expansion, from diastellein to expand, from dia- + stellein to place, bring together, make ready

Example Sentences

The ding of her husband's cash register and the click of her dangle bag mark the systole and diastole of married life.

From Project Gutenberg

The great secular heart is now in its diastole, or relaxation.

From Project Gutenberg

Systole and diastole, the contraction and dilation of the heart and arteries.

From Project Gutenberg

Their stomachs are like sackbuts, with systole and diastole;128 and thus they contract and expand them in a wonderful manner.

From Project Gutenberg

That the intrinsic motion of the heart is the systole, and not the diastole, as previously imagined.

From Project Gutenberg