dial
Meanings
noun
- A graduated, circular scale over which a needle moves to show a measurement (such as speed).
- Such a field as part of a clock face; (metonymic) the entire clock face.
- A sundial.
- A panel on a radio etc showing wavelengths or channels; a knob that is turned to change the wavelength etc.
- A disk with finger holes on a telephone; used to select the number to be called.
- A person's face.
- A miner's compass.
verb
- To control or select something with a dial, or (figuratively) as if with a dial.
- To select a number, or to call someone, on a telephone, regardless of whether a physical dial is present.
- To use a dial or a telephone.
- To initiate a connection to a remote computer service such as a database.
- To use a dial-up modem to connect a personal computer to the Internet.
name
- A surname.
Pronunciation
Word forms
Etymology
The original meaning was 'sundial' and/or 'clock dial'; from Middle English diall, from Middle French dyal, from Latin diālis (“daily, concerning the day”), because of its use in telling the time of day, from Latin diēs (“day”). Compare Spanish dial and día (“day”).
Related words
Derived words
Translations
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