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Glite Dictionary
diametral

diametral

9.3
Along a straight line that goes through the center of a circle or sphere
  • adjective
  • /ˌdaɪəˈmɛtrəl/
translation icon : diametral
  • When measuring a circle, the diametral length is the longest distance across it, passing through the center.

Examples

  • Craftsmen in the Colonial Williamsburg Gunsmithing Program have recently found that by using replica hand tools, it is possible to ream a bore to diametral tolerances within 0.0005 inch.

    Academic text (2007)

  • At this time, there is no published data for the stress concentration factor for a stiffened diametral hole in a tube.

    Academic text (1995)

  • The engineers designed the bridge's supports to be diametral, ensuring strength and stability in both directions.

  • For precision, the machinist needed diametral alignment of the two parts to ensure they fit perfectly together.

Synonyms

diametric
vsdiametral
  • Specialized
7.4

Along a straight line that goes through the center of a circle

describes things simply located along a diameter rather than measured
diametrical
vsdiametral
  • Specialized
6.9

Along a line through the centre that divides a circle into two equal parts

describes things located along a diameter rather than extending across it

Surface Forms

diametral positive

Morphology

diametral = diameter (semi-transparent) = diameter + al

The adjective is built regularly from 'diameter' + '-al', but the sense is somewhat specialized and not fully immediate for all learners.

Etymology

The word diametral comes from the Greek parts dia- meaning 'across' and metron meaning 'measure', the same root you see in diameter. So diametral means lying 'across' a circle or along its diameter, which explains its use for measurements that go straight through a round object.