Di"a*dem (?), n. [F.
diadème, L. diadema, fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to
bind round; dia` through, across + &?; to bind; cf. Skr.
dā to bind.] 1. Originally, an
ornamental head band or fillet, worn by Eastern monarchs as a badge
of royalty; hence (later), also, a crown, in general. "The
regal diadem." Milton.
2. Regal power; sovereignty; empire; --
considered as symbolized by the crown.
3. (Her.) An arch rising from the rim
of a crown (rarely also of a coronet), and uniting with others over
its center.
Diadem lemur. (Zoöl.) See
Indri. -- Diadem spider
(Zoöl.), the garden spider.
Di"a*dem, v. t. To adorn with a
diadem; to crown.
Not so, when diadem'd with rays
divine.
Pope.
To terminate the evil,
To diadem the right.
R. H. Neale.
