Sundial - Definition, Meaning, and Examples in English

Definition

^{Context #1 | Noun}

time measurement

A sundial is a device that tells the time by using the position of the sun. It comprises a flat plate marked with hours and a gnomon, which is a vertical stick or blade that casts a shadow onto the plate. As the sun moves across the sky, the shadow of the gnomon moves around the plate, indicating the time of day. Sundials are one of the oldest known methods of timekeeping, dating back to ancient civilizations. They are particularly popular in gardens and parks as both timekeeping devices and decorative elements.

Synonyms

clock, timepiece.

Examples of usage

The garden features a beautiful sundial.
Farmers used sundials to plan their work around the sun.
He checked the time using a sundial in the park.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

The earliest known sundials date back to ancient Egypt around 1500 BC, using shadow casting to indicate time.
The ancient Greeks improved sundial design, creating more accurate versions that used a gnomon—a stick that casts a shadow.
Crossing cultures, sundials spread to various civilizations, including the Romans and Chinese, as reliable timekeeping devices.

Science

Sundials rely on the Earth's rotation, with the sun appearing to move across the sky, to indicate hours of the day.
The angle of the gnomon must be aligned with the Earth's rotational axis for accurate time, which varies by latitude.
Sundials are typically only accurate on sunny days, since clouds and other obstacles can obstruct sunlight.

Art and Culture

Some cultures decorate sundials with intricate designs, turning them into art pieces while still serving a practical purpose.
Famous literary works reference sundials as symbols of the passage of time and the fleeting nature of life.
In gardens, sundials often serve as ornamental focal points, connecting art, nature, and timekeeping.

Technology

While modern clocks and watches have largely replaced sundials, they remain popular in astronomy and garden design.
Sundials inspire some contemporary timekeeping devices, showcasing human creativity in measuring time across history.
In educational settings, sundials are often used to teach students about time, shadow angles, and the movement of celestial bodies.

Origin of 'sundial'

The word 'sundial' comes from the combination of 'sun' and 'dial.' Historically, sundials have existed since ancient times, with evidence of their use in Egyptian, Babylonian, and Greek civilizations. The Egyptians are credited with using shadow clocks around 1500 BCE, while the Greeks utilized sundials extensively in their daily life. The basic principle behind sundials involves the Earth's rotation and the sun's movement across the sky, allowing for accurate timekeeping during daylight hours. As technology progressed, the design of sundials evolved, leading to various styles, including horizontal, vertical, and equatorial sundials. Despite the advent of mechanical clocks, sundials continue to hold an aesthetic and nostalgic value in many cultures.

Sundial Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations