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dial1 definition

dial (dī′əl)

noun

  1. a sundial
  2. the face of a watch or clock
    1. the face of a meter, gauge, compass, etc. on which a pointer or the like indicates an amount, degree, direction, etc.
    2. an illuminated strip on a radio, marked with frequency numbers and equipped with a pointer, for indicating the station selected
  4. a usually graduated disk or knob for controlling some function, as the selection of a TV channel or the temperature of an oven
    1. a rotating disk on a telephone, used in making connections automatically
    2. loosely an arrangement of numbered push buttons on a telephone, used for this purpose

Etymology: ME < ML dialis, daily < L dies, day: see deity

transitive verb, intransitive verb dialed -·aled or dialled -·alled, dialing -·al·ing or dialling -·al·ling

  1. to measure (something) with or as with a dial
  2. to tune in (a radio station, television channel, program, etc.)
  3. ☆ to call (a person, telephone number, etc.) on a telephone by using a dial, keypad, etc.
dial2 definition

dial

  1. dialect(al)
  2. dialectic(al)

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

telecom dial definition - telecom

dial Synonyms

dial

n.

face, front, disk with figures, circle, numbers, control, knob, indicator, gauge, device for showing time, meter, register, measuring device, horologe, compass; see also control 3.


dial

v.

  1. To turn

    rotate, twist, wheel; see turn 1.

  2. To telephone

    ring (up), call (up), phone; see telephone.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

dial Usage Examples

Object

  • prefix: You don't need to buy any special equipment or dial any prefixes - simply continue to use your phone normally.

Converse of object

  • rotate: I also like the rotating dial for the volume control.

Adjective modifier

  • rotary: The Deluxe Vari kennel has rotary dial latches for easier assembly, rotary door locks for easier latching and wire doors finished in black.

Modifies a noun

  • marking: The watch has signed crowns with the Tissot T logo, embossed ship on case back and tritium dial markings.

Noun used with modifier

  • micrometer: To modern eyes the unit does lack something in the way of bulk and the micrometer dials were obviously far too small.

Preposition: with

  • numeral: Matt black dial with large luminous numerals ( neon blue glow ).

Preposition: up

  • modem: Downloading the same piece of music using a 56 Kbps dial up modem can take about 15 or 20 minutes.
dial usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

dial quotes

Technology, while adding daily to our physical ease, throws dailyanother loop of fine wire around our souls. It contributes hugely to our mobility, which we must not confuse with freedom. The extensions of our senses, which we find so fascinating, are not adding to the discrimination of our minds, since we need increasingly to take the reading of a needle on a dial to discover whether we think something isgood or bad, or right or wrong.

-Stevenson, Adlai E(wing)

dial quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"dial." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/dial>

APA Style

dial. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/dial

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