ˈdaɪəl n. & v. --n. 1
the face of a clock or
watch,
marked to
show the hours etc. 2 a
similar flat
plate marked
with a scale
for measuring
weight,
volume,
pressure,
consumption,
etc., indicated by a
pointer. 3 a
movable disc on a
telephone, with finger-holes
and numbers for
making a
connection. 4 a a plate or disc etc. on a
radio or
television set for selecting
wavelength or channel. b a similar selecting
device on
other equipment, e.g. a
washing machine. 5
Brit. sl. a person's face. --v. (dialled, dialling; US dialed, dialing) 1 tr. (also absol.)
select (a telephone number) by
means of a dial or set of
buttons (dialled 999). 2 tr.
measure,
indicate, or
regulate by means of a dial. ødialling
code a
sequence of numbers dialled to
connect a telephone with the
exchange of the telephone
being called. dialling
tone (US dial tone) a
sound indicating
that a
caller may start to dial. øødialler n. [ME, =
sundial, f. med.L diale clock-dial ult. f. L dies day]
