diaster

American  

[dahy-as-ter] / daɪˈæs tər /

noun

Cell Biology.

1. the stage in mitosis at which the chromosomes, after their division and separation, are grouped near the poles of the spindle.

---

diaster British  

/ daɪˈæstə /

noun

1. rare cytology the stage in cell division at which the chromosomes are in two groups at the poles of the spindle before forming daughter nuclei

---

Other Word Forms

• diastral adjective

Etymology

Origin of diaster

First recorded in 1880–85; di- ¹ + -aster ²

Example Sentences

Flooding on Friday also killed at least one person in Badakhshan, a mountainous eastern province, where it destroyed homes, small dams and bridges and killed 2,000 livestock, the provincial diaster management department said.

From New York Times

The question is whether the two sides of Sam Altman are ultimately compatible: Does it make sense to ride that curve if it could end in diaster?

From New York Times

Itaewon has been declared a “special diaster zone” since last Sunday.

From New York Times

The latest diaster struck last week, when a 44-year-old submarine, the Nanggala, disappeared before dawn during training exercises north of the Indonesian island of Bali.

From New York Times

Having an accurate death toll after a natural diaster helps determine the scope of the recovery effort, encouraging new resiliency efforts, while providing families closure and qualifying them for assistance, the Harvard researchers said in explaining their efforts.

From New York Times