/ ˈdaɪəl; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
the face of a clock or watch, or a similar control on a machine, piece of equipment or vehicle that shows a measurement of time, amount, speed, temperature, etc. :
an alarm clock with a luminous dial
Check the tyre pressure on the dial.
—see also sundial
2.
the round control on a radio, cooker / stove, etc. that you turn in order to adjust sth, for example to choose a particular station or to choose a particular temperature
3.
the round part on some older telephones, with holes for the fingers, that you move around to call a particular number
■ verb
( -ll- , NAmE -l- ) to use a telephone by pushing buttons or turning the dial to call a number :
[ vn ]
He dialled the number and waited.
Dial 0033 for France.
[also v ]
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (denoting a mariner's compass): from medieval Latin diale clock dial, based on Latin dies day.