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diadem

Apparel
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A jeweled headband or crown worn as a symbol of sovereignty or high honor, often used in classical and romantic poetry as a more elevated synonym for crown.

Detailed Definition
The diadem is a poetic word that carries an air of antique majesty, often appearing in epic and heroic verse to denote the headpiece of a ruler, goddess, or victor. Unlike the heavier crown, the diadem can be delicate, a band of gold or silver set with precious gems, and its circular form symbolizes eternity and the unbroken nature of power. Poets use the diadem in descriptions of divine figures, such as Diana or Venus, to signify their celestial authority. In love poetry, a lover's brow might be described as worthy of a diadem, a hyperbole of praise. The diadem also appears in poems about the fall of empires, where it is cast down or shattered, representing the collapse of order. Its etymology from Greek "to bind" adds a layer of meaning about holding together and unity.
Example
Example in poetry:
"A Diademe? Alas, a racke, or wheele" (Ralph Knevet); "Bitter thorns to proclaim me your lover, a diadem woven with rue" (Amy Lowell, "CROWNED"); "The proud throne shall crumble, the diadem shall wane" (Hello Poetry); "The crowning diamonds of a diadem" (Ananta Madhavan); "She wore a diadem of stars in the midnight of her hair"; "The diadem's gems caught the firelight and scattered it like sparks"
Additional Notes
The diadem is a poetic word that carries an air of antique majesty, often appearing in epic and heroic verse to denote the headpiece of a ruler, goddess, or victor. Unlike the heavier crown, the diadem can be delicate, a band of gold or silver set with precious gems, and its circular form symbolizes eternity and the unbroken nature of power. Poets use the diadem in descriptions of divine figures, such as Diana or Venus, to signify their celestial authority. In love poetry, a lover's brow might be described as worthy of a diadem, a hyperbole of praise. The diadem also appears in poems about the fall of empires, where it is cast down or shattered, representing the collapse of order. Its etymology from Greek "to bind" adds a layer of meaning about holding together and unity. Related terms include crown, coronet, and tiara. Students should note the diadem's elevated, often classical register and its association with both earthly and divine sovereignty.
Other Meanings of “diadem”
Also Known As
jeweled crown royal fillet princely band correll Crown Bandeau Tiara
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