diadem
Americannoun
-
a crown.
-
a cloth headband, sometimes adorned with jewels, formerly worn by monarchs in Asia Minor and other parts of the East.
-
royal dignity or authority.
verb (used with object)
noun
-
a royal crown, esp a light jewelled circlet
-
royal dignity or power
verb
Etymology
Origin of diadem
1250–1300; Middle English diademe (< Anglo-French ) < Latin diadēma < Greek diádēma fillet, band, equivalent to diadē- (verbid stem of diadeîn to bind round + -ma noun suffix
Explanation
A diadem is a crown, or something on a crown. If you’ve just won the Miss America pageant, reach up your hand — that’s right — that rhinestone encrusted circlet on your head? That’s a diadem. While diadem is a straightforward word meaning "crown," it can also refer to the jewels or other ornaments on a crown. It also sounds like diamond, which is handy for remembering the meaning, because a crown might well have diamonds on it. Or, the diadem could be the diamond on the crown. Technically, you could have a diadem on a diadem, but it would be confusing to say it that way. It comes from the Greek diadema, which was cloth tied around the head to signify royalty. Not as nice as diamonds though, really!
Vocabulary lists containing diadem
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
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"The Little Mermaid" by Hans Christian Andersen
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Scientists have discovered how female Diadem butterflies have evolved to look like African Queen butterflies to repel predators.
From Science Daily • Mar. 18, 2024
While the King will wear the Imperial State Crown, with its modest 2,868 diamonds, the Queen will wear the George IV Diadem, previously worn by Elizabeth II and Victoria.
From BBC • Nov. 7, 2023
The queen was shown wearing the Diamond Diadem and a stern expression in her portrait.
From Washington Post • Dec. 20, 2022
“I grew up eating Kraft singles. They have that nostalgia effect,” Ms. Diadem said.
From New York Times • May 13, 2022
Wee here present you with this Diadem, Lord.
From The Tragedy Of Caesar's Revenge by Anonymous
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
