| 释义 |
di·al
I. \ˈdī(ə)l\ noun
(-s)
Etymology: Middle English dyal, from Latin dies day + Middle English -al — more at deity
1. : the face of a sundial whether horizontal, vertical, or inclined
2.
a. obsolete : any of various timepieces (as a clock or watch)
b. obsolete : a mariner's compass
3.
a. : the graduated face of a timepiece on which the time in hours and minutes and sometimes seconds is shown usually by pointers or hands
b. slang Britain : the human face
4.
a. : a face (as of a measuring instrument) upon which some measurement (as of force, pressure, speed) or other number is registered usually by means of graduations and a pointer
< the hand of the dial points to 50 pounds pressure >
b. : a disk usually with a knob or slot that may be turned to make electrical connections or to regulate the operation of a machine and typically with a series of markings around its border to serve as a guide for the operation
< increase the volume by turning the left-hand dial >
— see dial telephone
5. : a lapidary's instrument for cutting a range of facets on a gem having a rod which holds the gem and turns on a ball-and-socket joint and a graduated dial and index at the other end for gauging the inclination between facets
II. verb
(dialed or dialled ; dialed or dialled ; dialing or dialling ; dials)
transitive verb
1. : to measure with or as if with a dial; specifically : to survey with a dial or circumferentor
2.
a. : to manipulate a telephone dial so as to place a call to (a telephone number or subscriber)
< for a weather forecast one may dial ST 1-0100 >
< dial the newspaper office >
b. : to manipulate a dial so as to operate, regulate, or select
< dial a radio >
< dial your favorite program >
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to manipulate a dial (as of a telephone or a television set)
b. : to make a call on a dial telephone
2. : to tune, control, or regulate a radio or other apparatus by means of a dial
< many a radio owner, having dialed into this discourse … dialed out again — Time >
III. abbreviation
1. dialect; dialectal
2. dialectic; dialectical; dialectics
3. dialogue |