dia-

¹ American  

1. a prefix occurring in loanwords from Greek (diabetes; dialect ) and used, in the formation of compound words, to mean “passing through” (diathermy ), “thoroughly,” “completely” (diagnosis ), “going apart” (dialysis ), and “opposed in moment” (diamagnetism ).

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dia. ² American  

abbreviation

1. diameter.

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dia- British  

prefix

1. through, throughout, or during

   diachronic

2. across

   diactinic

3. apart

   diacritic

4. (in botany) at right angles

   diatropism

5. in opposite or different directions

   diamagnetism

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dia– Scientific  

1. A prefix meaning “through” or “across,” as in diameter, the length of a line going through a circle.

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Etymology

Origin of dia-

< Greek, combining form representing diá (preposition) through, between, across, by, of, akin to dýo two and di- di- ¹

Example Sentences

She was hired as the first curator exclusively devoted to such art in any encyclopedic American museum in 2001, a year after the DIA created a Center for African American Art.

From The Wall Street Journal

Strictly speaking, these galleries—limited by gaps in the DIA’s holdings and by space—provide only an abbreviated history of black art.

From The Wall Street Journal

And they give visitors one more reason to visit the many riches of the DIA.

From The Wall Street Journal

With a DIA, the individual pays one or more premiums to an insurer in exchange for guaranteed income payments that begin at a future date.

From The Wall Street Journal

Suzy’s pick: Ela Minus, “Día” Born in Bogotá, Colombia, and now based in Brooklyn, electronic artist-producer Gabriela Jimeno, or Ela Minus, first bonded with beats as a tween drummer in a hardcore band.

From Los Angeles Times