Di-ăm'e-ter, n.
n. [Gr. διάμετρος, from διά, through, and μέτρον, measure; Fr. diamètre.]
Sense 1. (Geom.) Any right line passing through the center of a figure or body, as a circle, conic section, sphere, cube, &c., and terminated by the opposite boundaries; a straight line which bisects the chords drawn in a curve parallel to a tangent at its vertex.
Sense 2. The length of a straight line through the center of an object from side to side; width; thickness; as, the diameter of a tree or rock.
☞ In an elongated object the diameter is usually taken at right angles to the longer axis.
Sense 3. (Arch.) The distance through the lower part of the shaft of a column, used as a unit for measuring all the parts of an order. Gwilt.
