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Added 8 October 2026

dial

/ˈdaɪ.əl/ noun

Latin root: diālis Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about dial at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

The face of a timepiece; graduated to show the hours.
The control on a radio or television set that is used for tuning.
The circular graduated indicator on various measuring instruments.

verb

Operate a dial to select a telephone number.
You must take the receiver off the hook before you dial
Choose by means of a dial.
dial a telephone number

Origin

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”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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