1. A graduated surface or face on which a measurement, such as speed, is indicated by a moving needle or pointer. 2a. The face of a clock. b. A sundial. 3a. The panel or face on a radio or television receiver on which the frequencies or channels are indicated. b. A movable control knob or other device on a radio or television receiver used to change the frequency. 4. A rotatable disk on a telephone with numbers and letters, used to signal the number to which a call is made.
VERB:
Inflected forms: di·aled or di·alled, di·al·ing or di·al·ling, di·als or di·als
TRANSITIVE VERB:
1. To measure with or as if with a dial. 2. To point to, indicate, or register by means of a dial. 3. To control or select by means of a dial: dial a radio station.4. To call (a party) on a telephone. 5. To signal (a number) in making a telephone call: The program dials the number and then connects to the file server.
INTRANSITIVE VERB:
1. To use a dial. 2. To use a telephone.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, sundial, clock, from Old French dyal, from Medieval Latin dile, from neuter of dilis, daily, from Latin dis, day. See dyeu- in Appendix I.
d
l, d
le, from neuter of di
s, day. See dyeu- in Appendix I.
