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 sundial.
a plate or disk with markings or figures for indicating or registering some measurement or number, as of pressure, number of revolutions, the frequency to which a radio is tuned, etc., usually by means of a pointer.
a rotatable plate, disk, or knob used for regulating a mechanism, making and breaking electrical connections, etc., as in tuning a radio or television station in or out.
Also called ro·ta·ry di·al[roh-tuh-ree dahy-uhl, dahyl]. /ˈroʊ tə ri ˌdaɪ əl, ˌdaɪl/. a rotatable plate or disk on a telephone, fitted with finger holes that are marked with letters or numbers, used in making calls through an automatic switchboard.
any mechanism on the face of a telephone by which the caller places a call, as push buttons.
Also called min·er's di·al[mahy-nerz dahy-uhl, dahyl]. /ˈmaɪ nərz ˌdaɪ əl, ˌdaɪl/. Mining. a compass used for underground surveying.
verb (used with object),di·aled,di·al·ing or (especially British) di·alled,di·al·ling.
to indicate or register on or as if on a dial.
to measure with or as if with a dial.
to regulate, select, or tune in by means of a dial, as on a radio: to dial my favorite program.
to make a telephone call to: Dial me at home.
verb (used without object),di·aled,di·al·ing or (especially British) di·alled,di·al·ling.
to use a telephone dial; to dial a telephone: I keep dialing, but the line seems dead.
to tune in or regulate by means of a dial: to dial into the opera broadcast.
adjective
(of a telephone) having a rotary dial mechanism.
Verb Phrases
dial down,to reduce the level of; diminish: Such open threats of military action make it more difficult to dial down tensions.
dial up,
to obtain, reach, or contact by telephone:Now's your chance to dial up Chicago and do some business.
to access a computer, the internet, or another network by dialing a telephone number.
to increase the level of; intensify: I used cayenne, garlic, oregano, thyme, and pepper to dial up the flavor.
Origin of dial
First recorded in 1400–50; Middle English dial, diel,dyal “instrument for telling time by the sun's shadow,” from Old French dyal, from Medieval Latin diālis “daily” (Latin di(ēs) ) “day” + -ālis adjective suffix; cf. -al1)