| n. | 1. | 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. | |||||||||
| 2. | The graduated face of a timepiece, on which the time of day is shown by pointers or hands. | ||||||||||
| 3. | A miner's compass.
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| v. t. | 1. | To measure with a dial. | |||||||||
| 2. | (Mining) To survey with a dial. | ||||||||||
| Noun | 1. | dial - the face of a timepiece; graduated to show the hours |
| 2. | dial - the control on a radio or television set that is used for tuning | |
| 3. | dial - the circular graduated indicator on various measuring instruments | |
| 4. | dial - a disc on a telephone that is rotated a fixed distance for each number called Synonyms: telephone dial | |
| Verb | 1. | dial - operate a dial to select a telephone number; "You must take the receiver off the hook before you dial" |
| 2. | dial - choose by means of a dial; "dial a telephone number" |