diplo-, dipl-

A situation in which there is a double pupil or a black round part in the middle in one eye or both eyes which cause irregularities that suggest a double vision: Diplocora, also called dicoria, occurs in an iris and may be inherited or the result of an injury or surgery.

A duplication in the production of a normally single organ or parts of an animal: There are some examples of diplogeneses appearing in nature; for example, a polar bear with two heads which was actually seen by a family who saw it in a museum in Alaska.

Pertaining to a lizard that has the ability to return the end or tip of its tongue into the back of its mouth after sending it out to catch an insect: Vertebrates of the class Reptilia are diploglossate reptiles, whose mouth part can be extended and quickly retured.

Double writing, or writing two lines of text at the same time, as when producing embossed writing for the blind and ordinary writing at the same time: Sam was quite excited when he saw a diplograph in a museum, which  he found out was a Swiss writing-apparatus that looked quite clumsy.

Descriptive of the bony tissue between the external and internal layers of the skull: While Joan was studying medicine, she learned that the diploic structure between the outer walls of the cranium consists of a spongy, porous, and skeletal tissue.

A reference to possessing two matched sets of chromosomes in the cell nucleus of a child, one set contributed by each parent: Diploid organisms include almost all mammals, having two complements of chromosomes which contain chemical compositions that control what an animal is like.

1. A certificate that has been given by a school, college, or university which verifies that someone has completed a certain course of study or has graduated after a certain amount of education: After going to high school and finishing all of the required subjects with good grades, Jackie received her high school diploma and now she can apply for admission to the nearby college.
2. A document that grants certain rights, privileges, honors, etc.: A diploma, or certificate, signed by a king in historical contexts, verified a grant or tenure of a defined piece of land and its conditions.
3. Etymology: from Greek > Latin diploma, "paper folded double".

1. The profession or skill of preserving or creating friendly relationships between countries: Diplomacy is important between nations so that the concerns and needs are understood, and the skills that guide participants result in decisions that are agreeable on all sides.
2. The management of communication and relationships between nations by members and employees of each nation's government: Diplomacy involves negotiations of treaties, international agreements, etc.
3. The ability to deal with people in a sensitive way that does not upset or offend them or a skillful handling of a situation and the skill and tact in dealing with other people: Tom, the principal of the school, was liked and respected by all of the teachers in his school for his diplomacy because he listened to their problems, was very tactful in his comments and advice when asked, and avoided offending anyone.

Diplomacy is the art of getting other people to do it your way.

1. A government negotiator who deals with foreign countries: Most nations have diplomats who are responsible for agreements that will benefit each other.
2. Someone who is skilled in coping with situations and people: The president of Mary's company told his staff that a diplomat was needed to deal with the striking workers.

1. Pertaining to the art of conducting international relations, as in negotiating alliances, treaties, and agreements: The diplomatic agent traveled to different countries and was successful in maintaining good rapport with other nations.
2. A reference to being tactful and skillful when dealing with people: While growing up, Jill learned that being diplomatic with her parents was quite effective in getting what she wanted, instead of her yelling and behaving badly!

Diplomatic applies to social behavior which is as sensitive as an ambassador's and so it applies to having social behavior that is smooth and courteous.

1. A container in which letters are sent between countries' representatives in other countries, and which is not examined by customs officials: Such a diplomatic bag can be a box, a duffel bag, a crate, a briefcase, etc., which has a lock, and may only contain items for official use only.
2. A bag in which official correspondence travels between a government office and an embassy of that government in another country, carried by a special messenger: The diplomatic bag is not subject to the same regulations that govern ordinary mail.

An official courier is also immune from detention or arrest, and he or she has the diplomatic bag under his protection and conveys it from one legal institution to another such authorized location of the same rulership in a different nation.

All of the ambassadors, ministers, etc. of foreign nations at the capital of a country: The diplomatic corps resides in a foreign country, is the collection of official heads of a mission, and represents their own nations and they get together at certain functions; such as, inaugurations, coronations, etc., depending on the local customs of the nation.

Special privileges that are accorded to diplomats and their families and staffs by international agreement: Diplomatic immunity includes freedom from arrest, searches, and taxations.

Descriptive of being skilled in dealing with sensitive matters or people: The conflict can be resolved diplomatically, including compromises which are acceptable for both sides.

One newspaper critic diplomatically described a show as "interesting".

A complete or an incomplete doubling of the spinal cord which may be accompanied by a bony septum of the vertebral canal: Diplomyelia is a malformation of the nervous system, occurring as an isolated additional spinal cord, and is very rare in humans, but sometimes it appears in mice.