DIAL


Meaning of DIAL in English

I. ˈdī(-ə)l 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

II. verb

( di·aled or di·alled ; di·al·ing or di·al·ling )

Date: 1653

transitive verb

1. : to measure with a dial

2.

a. : to manipulate a device (as a dial) so as to operate, regulate, or select

dial your favorite program

dial ed the wrong number

b. : call 1m(1)

dial ed the office

intransitive verb

1. : to manipulate a dial

2. : to make a telephone call or connection

• di·al·er noun

III. abbreviation

1. dialect

2. dialectical

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.