释义 |
Definition of gnomon in English: gnomonnoun ˈnəʊmɒnˈnoʊmən 1The projecting piece on a sundial that shows the time by the position of its shadow. Example sentencesExamples - He also probably introduced the gnomon (a perpendicular sun-dial) into Greece and erected one in Sparta.
- To ensure that the sundial registered roughly the correct time all the year round the gnomon had to be set at exactly the correct angle.
- The problem is that the gardeners have been caught on the gnomon of their own sundial.
- He placed a pole perfectly upright in the ground to make a simple sundial, or gnomon.
- 1.1Astronomy A structure, especially a column, used in observing the sun's meridian altitude.
Example sentencesExamples - It is an astronomy text, showing how to measure the positions of the heavenly bodies using shadow gauges which are also called gnomons, but it contains important sections on mathematics.
- Pergolas, open steel stairs, lattices and wooden blinds all act as shadow-casters and gnomons.
- The simplest astronomical instruments was the gnomon, nothing other than a stick which was erected and the length of its shadow measured.
- The text measures the positions of the heavenly bodies using shadow gauges which are also called gnomons.
- He is also said to have constructed a armillary sphere, a water clock, and a bronze gnomon, a pointer whose shadow gives the time of mid-day.
2Geometry The part of a parallelogram left when a similar parallelogram has been taken from its corner. Example sentencesExamples - Revolve the gnomon about its vertex and it can draw a circle; combine two gnomons and they form a square.
- When the gnomon is turned up, it can measure height; when it is turned over, it can measure depth and when it lies horizontally it can measure distance.
Origin Mid 16th century: via Latin from Greek gnōmōn 'indicator, carpenter's square' (related to gignōskein 'know'). Definition of gnomon in US English: gnomonnounˈnoʊmənˈnōmən 1The projecting piece on a sundial that shows the time by the position of its shadow. Example sentencesExamples - The problem is that the gardeners have been caught on the gnomon of their own sundial.
- To ensure that the sundial registered roughly the correct time all the year round the gnomon had to be set at exactly the correct angle.
- He placed a pole perfectly upright in the ground to make a simple sundial, or gnomon.
- He also probably introduced the gnomon (a perpendicular sun-dial) into Greece and erected one in Sparta.
2Geometry The part of a parallelogram left when a similar parallelogram has been taken from its corner. Example sentencesExamples - Revolve the gnomon about its vertex and it can draw a circle; combine two gnomons and they form a square.
- When the gnomon is turned up, it can measure height; when it is turned over, it can measure depth and when it lies horizontally it can measure distance.
Origin Mid 16th century: via Latin from Greek gnōmōn ‘indicator, carpenter's square’ (related to gignōskein ‘know’). |