dial
A graduated, circular scale over which a needle moves to show a measurement (such as speed).
Noun 4 meanings
A graduated, circular scale over which a needle moves to show a measurement (such as speed).
“Holonyms: (often holonymous) instrument, gauge”
A sundial.
A panel on a radio etc showing wavelengths or channels; a knob that is turned to change the wavelength etc.
“Turn the dial to Radio 4: my favourite show is on!”
A disk with finger holes on a telephone; used to select the number to be called.
“His hands were too fat to operate the dial on the telephone.”
Verb 4 meanings
To control or select something with a dial, or (figuratively) as if with a dial.
“The lead guitarist for the rock band Spinal Tap dialed his amplifier to 11.”
To select a number, or to call someone, on a telephone, regardless of whether a physical dial is present.
“In an emergency dial 999.”
To use a dial or a telephone.
“Please be careful when dialling.”
To initiate a connection to a remote computer service such as a database.
“The application failed when attempting to dial the Postgres server, because there were too many open connections.”
Etymology
The original meaning was 'sundial' and/or 'clock dial'; from Middle English diall, from Middle French dyal, from Latin diālis (“daily, concerning the day”), because of its use in telling the time of day, from Latin diēs (“day”). Compare Spanish dial and día (“day”).
DIAL at a glance
DIAL has 4 letters and scores 5 points in Scrabble (D 2 + I 1 + A 1 + L 1) and 6 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #7,787 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.
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