dial
Pointer's graduated backdrop
A dial is a face with markings used to display or control something—the dial of a clock, a radio dial, a telephone dial.
The circular design unites these: hands sweep across clock dials, tuners rotate across frequencies, fingers trace rotary phone circles.
To dial is to enter a number on a phone, though the verb persists even for phones without physical dials: I dialed her number but got voicemail.
Dial it back means to reduce intensity.
In British slang, your dial is your face.
Rotational movement
- twistRotating motion or surprise
- spinRapid rotation around axis
- knobRounded gripping fixture
- tuningAdjusting pitch accuracy
adjust · click · notch · position · clockwise · counterclockwise · sweep · arc
Contact by phone
- ringClosed curve shape
- receiverOne who accepts transmission
- handsetHeld telephone component
- rotaryInvolving circular motion
telephone · landline · number · tone · busy · connect · conversation · operator
Standard of measurement
- meterDevice that measures usage
- speedometerVehicle velocity display
- tachometerRotational speed indicator
- altimeterInstrument measuring elevation
barometer · thermometer · odometer · compass · fuel gauge · ammeter · voltmeter · indicator
Sundial's shadow-casting projection
- shadowLight blocked by object
- sunEarth's primary star
- equatorialOf Earth's central line
- horizontalParallel to the horizon
vertical · time · solar · garden · pedestal · brass · stone · ancient
Adjust for accuracy
- setArrange in position
- tuneMusical sequence of notes
- fine-tuneAdjust for optimal performance
- regulateControl by rules
tweak · configure · zero · reset · sensitivity · precision · tolerance · increment
Involving circular motion
- antiqueOld valued collectible
- classicOf lasting excellence
- retroEvoking recent past
- nostalgicLonging for the past
old-fashioned · collectible · Bakelite · candlestick · payphone · telephone booth · exchange · operator
turn
Rotational movement
tuning · adjust · click · notch · position · clockwise · counterclockwise · sweep · arc · rotation
call
Contact by phone
rotary · telephone · landline · number · tone · busy · connect · conversation · operator · switchboard
gauge
Standard of measurement
- meterDevice that measures usage
- speedometerVehicle velocity display
- tachometerRotational speed indicator
altimeter · barometer · thermometer · odometer · compass · fuel gauge · ammeter · voltmeter · indicator · readout
gnomon
Sundial's shadow-casting projection
- shadowLight blocked by object
- sunEarth's primary star
- equatorialOf Earth's central line
horizontal · vertical · time · solar · garden · pedestal · brass · stone · ancient · Roman
calibrate
Adjust for accuracy
regulate · tweak · configure · zero · reset · sensitivity · precision · tolerance · increment · range
rotary
Involving circular motion
nostalgic · old-fashioned · collectible · Bakelite · candlestick · payphone · telephone booth · exchange · operator · switchboard
- radioFM radio, crystal set, AM radio, radio station, radio broadcast
- telephonytelephone, telephone network, call, phone lines, phone booth
- appliance controlspower button, off switch, knob, timer, thermostat
- car audiocar radio, car stereo, head unit, stereo, infotainment
- controlsbutton, switch, knob, lever, slider
- manual controlsmanual, hand-operated, lever, handle, button
dialhang up
End telephone conversation
disconnect · end call · ring off · terminate · ignore
dialdigital readout
Electronic numerical indicator
digital display · LED display · digital · LCD screen · LCD display
- dial toneSound indicating phone readiness
- dialed downLessened in degree
- dial backDecrease gradually or partially
- pocket dialAccidental outgoing call
- dial downReduce intensity or volume
- drunk dialingIntoxicated phone outreach
dials, dialed, dialing, sundial, dialled, redial, dialling, misdial, rotary dial