diestrus

[ dahy-es-truhs ]

noun

, Zoology.

1. (in some female mammals) an interval of sexual inactivity within an estrous cycle, during which the uterus is preparing for pregnancy.

diestrus

/ daɪˈiːstrəs /

noun

1. the US spelling of dioestrus

Other Words From

• di·es·trous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of diestrus¹

First recorded in 1940–45; di- ³ + estrus