n.
Pronunciation: ' d ī (- ə )l
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English dyal, from Medieval Latin dialis clock wheel revolving daily, from Latin dies day ― more at DEITY
Date: 15th century
1 : the face of a sundial
2 obsolete : TIMEPIECE
3 : the graduated face of a timepiece
4 a : a face upon which some measurement is registered usually by means of graduations and a pointer <the thermometer dial reads 70°F> b : a device that may be operated to make electrical connections or to regulate the operation of a machine <a radio dial > <a telephone dial >