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