Main Entry:

di·as·to·le

Pronunciation:

\dī-ˈas-tə-(ˌ)lē\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Greek diastolē dilatation, from diastellein to expand, from dia- + stellein to prepare, send

Date:

circa 1578

: a rhythmically recurrent expansion ; especially : the dilatation of the cavities of the heart during which they fill with blood

— di·a·stol·ic \ˌdī-ə-ˈstä-lik\ adjective