A dial is generally a flat surface, circular or rectangular, with numbers or similar markings on it, used for displaying the setting or output of a timepiece, radio, clock, watch, or measuring instrument. See also "dial indicator".
The term may also refer to a movable control knob used to change the settings of the controlled instrument, for example, to change the frequency of the radio.
Dial — Not to be confused with a diol, a chemical containing two hydroxyl groups. Dial may mean: dial, the suffix for dialdehydes (a molecule with two aldehyde groups) dial. can be an abbreviation for dialect Dial (measurement), a display device in… … Wikipedia
Dial indicator — Dial indicators, also known as dial gauges and probe indicators, are instruments used to accurately measure small linear distances, and are frequently used in industrial and mechanical processes. They are named so because the measurement results… … Wikipedia
dial — ► NOUN 1) a disc marked to show the time on a clock or to indicate a reading or measurement by means of a pointer. 2) a disc with numbered holes on a telephone, turned to make a call. 3) a disc turned to select a setting on a radio, cooker, etc.… … English terms dictionary
dial — /duy euhl, duyl/, n., v., dialed, dialing or (esp. Brit.) dialled, dialling, adj. n. 1. a plate, disk, face, or other surface containing markings or figures upon which the time of day is indicated by hands, pointers, or shadows, as of a clock or… … Universalium
dial — [[t]da͟ɪ͟əl[/t]] dials, dialling, dialled (in AM, use dialing, dialed) 1) N COUNT A dial is the part of a machine or instrument such as a clock or watch which shows you the time or a measurement that has been recorded. The luminous dial on the… … English dictionary
dial — di•al [[t]ˈdaɪ əl, daɪl[/t]] n. v. di•aled, di•al•ing (esp. brit.)di•alled, di•al•ling. 1) hor a plate or disk on a clock, watch, or sundial, containing graduated markings or figures, upon which the time of day is indicated by hands, pointers, or … From formal English to slang
dial — I. 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 … New Collegiate Dictionary
dial — dial1 [daıəl] n [Date: 1300 1400; : Old French; Origin: Latin dies day ] 1.) the round part of a clock, watch, machine etc that has numbers that show you the time or a measurement ▪ The lighted dial of her watch said 1.20. ▪ She looked at the… … Dictionary of contemporary English
dial — noun 1》 a disc marked to show the time on a clock or indicate a reading or measurement by means of a pointer. ↘a disc with numbered holes on a telephone, turned to make a call. ↘a disc turned to select a setting on a radio, cooker, etc.… … English new terms dictionary
dial gauge — Any of a number of deviation type gauges that indicate the amount by which an object being gauged deviates from the standard. This deviation is usually shown in units of measurement, but some gauges show only whether the deviation is within a… … Universalium
A wall clock, with three dials
