di·al (dī'əl, dīl)
n.

1. A graduated surface or face on which a measurement, such as speed, is indicated by a moving needle or pointer.
2. 1. The face of a clock.
   2. A sundial.
3. 1. The panel or face on a radio or television receiver on which the frequencies or channels are indicated.
   2. A movable control knob or other device on a radio or television receiver used to change the frequency.
4. A rotatable disk on a telephone with numbers and letters, used to signal the number to which a call is made.

v., -aled, or -alled, -al·ing, or -al·ling, -als, or -als.

v.tr.

1. To measure with or as if with a dial.
2. To point to, indicate, or register by means of a dial.
3. To control or select by means of a dial: dial a radio station.
4. To call (a party) on a telephone.
5. To signal (a number) in making a telephone call: The program dials the number and then connects to the file server.

v.intr.

1. To use a dial.
2. To use a telephone.

[Middle English, sundial, clock, from Old French dyal, from Medieval Latin diāle, from neuter of diālis, daily, from Latin diēs, day.]

dialer di'al·er n.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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