dial English · revision 15123

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=borrowing|attested=1338|origins=la diēs}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /daɪəl/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|dyal]], apparently [[bor|la-med|diālis|t=daily]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) perhaps taken from a phrase such as [[m|la-med|rota diālis|t=daily wheel]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) from [[la|diēs|t=day]] (see [[deity]]),^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from [[ine-pro|*dyeu-|t=to shine]].^(Etymonline) A single use of [[fro|dyal|t=timepiece]] may be its direct source.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) The NODE gives [[m|la-med|diāle|t=clock dial]].^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The dial of a compass, a mariner's compass: 1338 in Barnhart, the mid-14th century in Etymonline.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The sundial is from before 1420 in Barnhart, 1430 in the OED,^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) and the face of a clock from the mid-15th century in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) All these were round objects marked with gradations,^(Cresswell 2021) and the word came to mean any face over which a pointer moves, as on gauges from 1747.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) A miner's compass is from 1669,^(OED 1989) and old slang used dial for a person's face.^(Cresswell 2021) The telephone dial is from 1879,^(Etymonline) and the verb, first to survey with a dial (1653), meant to dial a telephone number from 1921.^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline) [[diary|alt=Diary]] comes from the same Latin word.^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1338 – the dial of a compass.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * before 1420 – a sundial.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1653 – to dial, survey (verb).^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1747 – a gauge face.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1879 – a telephone dial.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1921 – to dial a number.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The face of a clock, watch or [[sundial]], marked to show the time.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A graduated face or disc on a measuring instrument, over which a pointer moves.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A control on a radio or television for selecting a station or channel.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A numbered disc on a telephone.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(old slang)'' A person's face.^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To call a number on a telephone.^(AHD)

+ # To measure, indicate or select with a dial.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[dialer]]

+ * [[dial-up]]

+ * [[direct-dial]]

+ * [[misdial]]

+ * [[predial]]

+ * [[redial]]

+ * [[undialed]]

+ * [[undialled]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[diary]]

+ * [[deity]]

+ * [[diurnal]]

+ * [[journal]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}