DIESIS Definition & Meaning

diesis

[ dahy-uh-sis ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Printing.

plural dieses

double dagger.

diesis

/ ˈ�岹ɪɪ��ɪ�� /

noun

printing another name for double dagger
music
1. (in ancient Greek theory) any interval smaller than a whole tone, esp a semitone in the Pythagorean scale
2. (in modern theory) the discrepancy of pitch in just intonation between an octave and either a succession of four ascending minor thirds ( great diesis ), or a succession of three ascending major thirds ( minor diesis )

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of diesis¹

1350–1400; originally, any of several musical intervals smaller than a tone (for which a double dagger was used as a symbol); Middle English < Latin di ( h ) esis < Greek ��í�� literally, a sending through, equivalent to die-, base of �徱ïé�Բ�� to send through ( di- di- ³ + ��é�Բ�� to send) + -sis -sis

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of diesis¹

C16: via Latin from Greek: a quarter tone, literally: a sending through, from diienai; the double dagger was originally used in musical notation

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

A diesis is a quarter tone; hence in a semitone there are included two dieses.

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If, therefore, the octaves are to remain perfect, which they must do, each major third must be tuned sharper than perfect by one-third part of the diesis.

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