dial
Meaning
A disc on a clock, watch, or machine that shows the time or a measurement by means of a pointer and figures.
A disc with numbered holes on some telephones, turned to make a call.
To call a telephone number by turning a dial or using buttons.
Structure
Usage
She carefully turned the dial on the safe until she heard the lock click.
The old radio has a large wooden casing and a brass tuning dial.
Please dial the emergency number if you see any signs of a gas leak.
Etymology
The word 'dial' has a journey rooted in the measurement of time. It derives from the Medieval Latin 'dialis', meaning 'daily', which itself comes from the Latin 'dies' for 'day'. The original sense was 'sundial', an instrument that tells the time of day by the sun's shadow. Over centuries, the term's application broadened from this day-measuring device to any circular plate or face with graduations for indicating measurements, such as on clocks, gauges, and eventually, telephones.
Analysis
'di' originates from Latin 'dies', meaning 'day'. 'al' is a suffix of Latin origin, forming adjectives meaning 'of, relating to, or characterized by'.