[ Gr. di`s- twice; akin to &unr_; two, L. bis twice. See Two, and cf. Bi-, Dia-. The L. pref. dis- sometimes assumes the form di-. See Dis-. ] A prefix, signifying twofold, double, twice; (Chem.) denoting two atoms, radicals, groups, or equivalents, as the case may be. See Bi-, 2.

{ }. [ Gr. dia` through; orig., dividing into two parts; akin to &unr_; two. See Two, and cf. 1st Di-. ] A prefix denoting through; also, between, apart, asunder, across. Before a vowel dia- becomes di-; as, diactinic; dielectric, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. diabase, fr. Gr. &unr_; a crossing or passing over, fr. &unr_;; &unr_; + &unr_; to go; -- so called by Brongniart, because it passes over to diorite. ] (Min.) A basic, dark-colored, holocrystalline, igneous rock, consisting essentially of a triclinic feldspar and pyroxene with magnetic iron; -- often limited to rocks pretertiary in age. It includes part of what was early called greenstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Gr. &unr_; &unr_; (sc. &unr_;) offerings before crossing the border, fr. &unr_; to pass over. See Diabase. ] Passing over the borders. [ R. ] Mitford. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. (Physics) involving a transfer of heat. a diabatic process adiabatic [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ NL., from Gr. &unr_;, fr. &unr_; to pass or cross over. See Diabase. ] (Med.) Any of several diseases which is attended with a persistent, excessive discharge of urine; when used without qualification, the term usually refers to diabetes mellitus. The most common form is diabetes mellitus, in which the urine is not only increased in quantity, but contains saccharine matter, and the condition if untreated is generally fatal. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The two major subtypes recognized are
diabetes insipidus and
diabetes mellitus. In diabetes insipidus there is excretion of large amounts of urine of relatively low density, accompanied by extreme thirst, but the urine contains no abnormal constituent. The more serious form diabetes mellitus (from Latin mellitus, sweetened with honey) is a metabolic disease in which the utilization of carbohydrate is reduced and that of lipids and proteins is increased. This form is caused by a deficiency in insulin (which is mostly formed in the pancreas), and may be accompanied by glucosuria, hyperglycemia, elecrolyte loss, ketoacidosis, and sometimes coma. It has severe long-term effects, including damage to the nerves, the retina, and the kidney, and degeneration of blood vessels which may lead to poor circulation, especially in the limbs, subsequent infection, and eventual loss of limbs.
Diabetes mellitus itself has recognized variants, being divided into insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is also called adult-onset diabetes (abbreviated NIDDM), and is the less severe form of diabetes mellitus, occurring mostly in obese individuals over the age of 35. It may be treated by diet and oral hypoglycemic agents, though occasionally serious degenerative effects may develop. Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (abbreviated IDDM), also called type I diabetes, is a severe form of the disease, usually starting when the affected person is young (hence also called juvenile-onset diabetes). In addition to the increased urine (polyuria) common to all forms of diabetes, this form is characterized by low levels of insulin in the blood, ketoacidosis, increased appetite, and increased fluid intake, and may lead to weight loss and eventually the severe degenerative effects mentioned above. Treatment requires administration of insulin and careful regulation of the diet. Stedman [ PJC ]

‖Diabetes mellitus [ NL., sweet diabetes ], that form of diabetes in which the urine contains saccharine matter. --
‖Diabetes insipidus [ NL., lit., diabetes ], the form of diabetes in which the urine contains no abnormal constituent.

{ } a. Pertaining to diabetes; as, diabetic or diabetical treatment. Quian. [ 1913 Webster ]

Diabetic sugar. (Chem.) Same as Dextrose.

{ ‖ } n. [ F. diablerie, fr. diable devil, L. diabolus. See Devil. ] Devilry; sorcery or incantation; a diabolical deed; mischief.

{ } a. [ L. diabolicus, Gr. &unr_; devilish, slanderous: cf. F. diabolique. See Devil. ] 1. Pertaining to the devil; resembling, or appropriate, or appropriate to, the devil; befitting hell or satan; devilish; infernal; impious; as, a diabolic or diabolical temper or act; the diabolical expression on his face; fires lit up a diabolic scene. “Diabolic power.” Milton. “The diabolical institution.” Motley.
Syn. -- devilish, mephistophelian, mephistophelean. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. showing a wicked cunning or ingenuity; as, the cold calculation and diabolic art of some statesmen.
Syn. -- devilish, mephistophelian, mephistophelean. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

3. extremely evil or cruel; atrocious; outrageously wicked; as, diabolical sorcerers under the influence of devils; diabolical torturers taking pleasure in their craft.
Syn. -- demonic, fiendish, hellish, infernal, nefarious, satanic. [ 1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5 ]

-- Di`a*bol"ic*al*ly, adv. -- Di`a*bol"ic*al*ness, n.

v. t. [ L. diabolus devil + -fy. ] To ascribed diabolical qualities to; to change into, or to represent as, a devil. [ R. ] Farindon. [ 1913 Webster ]