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dial1 definition

dial (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
  3. 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)

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