diesis

[ dahy-uh-sis ]

noun

, Printing.

, plural di·e·ses [dahy, -, uh, -seez].

1. double dagger.

diesis

/ ˈdaɪɪsɪs /

noun

1. printing another name for double dagger
2. 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 )

Word 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 díesis literally, a sending through, equivalent to die-, base of diïénai to send through ( di- di- ³ + hiénai to send) + -sis -sis

Word 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

Example Sentences

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

From Project Gutenberg

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.

From Project Gutenberg