Dial
['daɪəl]
Definition
(noun.) the face of a timepiece; graduated to show the hours.
(noun.) a disc on a telephone that is rotated a fixed distance for each number called.
(noun.) the circular graduated indicator on various measuring instruments.
(noun.) the control on a radio or television set that is used for tuning.
(verb.) choose by means of a dial; 'dial a telephone number'.
(verb.) operate a dial to select a telephone number; 'You must take the receiver off the hook before you dial'.
Inputed by Clara--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) An instrument, formerly much used for showing the time of day from the shadow of a style or gnomon on a graduated arc or surface; esp., a sundial; but there are lunar and astral dials. The style or gnomon is usually parallel to the earth's axis, but the dial plate may be either horizontal or vertical.
(n.) The graduated face of a timepiece, on which the time of day is shown by pointers or hands.
(n.) A miner's compass.
(v. t.) To measure with a dial.
(v. t.) To survey with a dial.
Typed by Dido
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Sun-dial.
Editor: Solomon
Definition
n. an instrument for showing the time of day by the sun's shadow: a timepiece: the face of a watch or clock: a circular plate on which a movable index shows the degree of pressure &c.—v.t. to measure as with a dial.—ns. Dī′alist a maker of dials: one skilled in dialling; Dī′alling the art of constructing dials: the science which explains the measuring of time by the sun-dial: surveying by help of a compass with sights such as is called a 'miner's dial;' Dīal-plate.
Checked by Ernest
Examples
- That was a crude sun dial. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- The doctor turned the dial and looked at his watch. Ernest Hemingway. A Farewell To Arms.
- Watch-cases, clock-cases, and dial-plates for clocks and watches, have been prohibited to be exported. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- The Dial Telegraph is still another modification of the telegraph. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- An hour hand was carried by a shaft of the great wheel, and a dial plate divided into hours. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- This sets in motion a train of wheels carrying the hands over the dials which mark the quantity of gas consumed. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- By this time great astronomers like Tycho Brahe and Valherius had divided the time-recording dials into minutes and seconds. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- This was the first calculating machine made with dials. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- Mr. Callahan removed the two dials, and, substituting type wheels, turned the movements face to face, so that each type wheel could imprint its characters upon a paper tape in two lines. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- A third took the time from two clock dials when the observer gave the signal, and the exact moment of o bservation was also recorded by student number two. Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
Checker: Melva