An instrument or calipers used to measure the distance between two points, especially the width of the gap between teeth or other anatomical measurements.
From Greek 'diastema' (gap) + '-meter' (measure), literally meaning 'gap-measurer.' The term is primarily used in dental and anthropological contexts.
Forensic anthropologists and dentists use diastimeters as evidence—the precise spacing of gaps in skulls can help identify individuals or estimate a person's age at death!
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