dialing


di·al

D0194700 (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. a. The face of a clock.b. A sundial.3. a. The panel or face on a radio or television receiver on which the frequencies or channels are indicated.b. 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. di·aled, di·al·ing, di·als or di·alled or di·al·ling 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.Phrasal Verbs: dial down Informal To reduce the intensity of: tried to dial down the controversy. dial up Informal To increase the intensity of: dialed up the action in the movie's sequel.
[Middle English, sundial, clock, from Old French dyal, from Medieval Latin diāle, from neuter of diālis, daily, from Latin diēs, day; see dyeu- in Indo-European roots.]
di′al·er n.