Dial

English Meaning

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.

1. A graduated surface or face on which a measurement, such as speed, is indicated by a moving needle or pointer.
2. The face of a clock.
3. A sundial.
4. The panel or face on a radio or television receiver on which the frequencies or channels are indicated.
5. A movable control knob or other device on a radio or television receiver used to change the frequency.
6. A rotatable disk on a telephone with numbers and letters, used to signal the number to which a call is made.
7. To measure with or as if with a dial.
8. To point to, indicate, or register by means of a dial.
9. To control or select by means of a dial: dial a radio station.
10. To call (a party) on a telephone.
11. To signal (a number) in making a telephone call: The program dials the number and then connects to the file server.
12. To use a dial.
13. To use a telephone.