Sundial

Quick meaning: Sundial is a noun meaning A device measuring the time of day by the position of a shadow cast by a pole or plate (gnomon) upon an engraved series of marks.

Meaning

A device measuring the time of day by the position of a shadow cast by a pole or plate (gnomon) upon an engraved series of marks.

More Meanings

1. A sea snail of the genus Heliacus.

Example Sentences

The shop carries more than a dozen sundials, mostly of bronze, plus an astrolabe ($650) of wrought iron.

The birdbath includes a small gnomon that acts as a sundial with markings on the basin if it's aligned correctly with the sun.

It was Oxford now—the matriculation photograph, posed in the stony front quad at Corpus, the pelican on top of the sundial appearing to sit on the head of the lanky, begowned chemist at the centre of the back row.

Elbows almost touching they leaned at ease, idly reading the almost obliterated lines engraved there. "I never understood it," she observed, lightly scornful. "What occult meaning has a sun-dial for the spooney? I'm sure I don't want to read riddles in a strange gentleman's optics."

Word Forms

• sundials

Synonyms for sundial

Depending on context, synonyms include dial, horologe, horologium.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include analemma, gnomon, heliodon, node, nocturlabe, sun shot.

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