Sundial: meaning, definitions and examples
🌞
sundial
[ ˈsʌnˌdaɪl ]
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
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.
Translations
Translations of the word "sundial" in other languages:
🇵🇹 relógio de sol
🇮🇳 सूर्य घड़ी
🇩🇪 Sonnenuhr
🇮🇩 jam matahari
🇺🇦 сонячний годинник
🇵🇱 zegar słoneczny
🇯🇵 日時計
🇫🇷 cadran solaire
🇪🇸 reloj de sol
🇹🇷 güneş saati
🇰🇷 해시계
🇸🇦 ساعة شمسية
🇨🇿 sluneční hodiny
🇸🇰 slnečné hodiny
🇨🇳 日晷
🇸🇮 sončna ura
🇮🇸 sólklukka
🇰🇿 күн сағаты
🇬🇪 მზე საათი
🇦🇿 gün saatı
🇲🇽 reloj de sol
Etymology
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.