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Dial vs Idol - What's the difference?

dial | idol |

As nouns the difference between dial and idol

is that dial is a graduated, circular scale over which a needle moves to show a measurement (such as speed) while idol is idol.

As a verb dial

is to measure or indicate something with a dial.

dial

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A graduated, circular scale over which a needle moves to show a measurement (such as speed).
  • A clock face.
  • A sundial.
  • A panel on a radio etc showing wavelengths or channels; a knob that is turned to change the wavelength etc.
  • A disk with finger holes on a telephone; used to select the number to be called.
  • (British, dated) A person's face.
  • * 1960:' ''At the sound of the old familiar voice he spun around with something of the agility of a cat on hot bricks, and I saw that his '''dial , usually cheerful, was contorted with anguish, as if he had swallowed a bad oyster.'' (, ''(Jeeves in the Offing) , chapter IX)
  • A miner's compass.
  • Verb

  • To measure or indicate something with a dial.
  • To control or select something with a dial
  • To select a number, or to call someone, on a telephone.
  • To use a dial or a telephone.
  • Usage notes

    * (term) and (term) are more common in the US. (term) and (term) are more common in the UK.

    Derived terms

    * dial-in * dial in * dial-up * dialer (US) * dial tone * misdial * redial

    Anagrams

    * * ----

    idol

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A graven image or representation of anything that is revered, or believed to convey spiritual power.
  • *
  • , title=(The Celebrity), chapter=2 , passage=Sunning himself on the board steps, I saw for the first time Mr. Farquhar Fenelon Cooke. He was dressed out in broad gaiters and bright tweeds, like an English tourist, and his face might have belonged to Dagon, idol of the Philistines.}}
  • * 1911 (The Green Eye of the Little Yellow God) , :
  • There's a one-eyed yellow idol to the north of Kathmandu, There's a little marble cross below the town; There's a broken-hearted woman tends the grave of Mad Carew, And the Yellow God forever gazes down.
  • A cultural icon, or especially popular person.
  • Descendants

    * Japanese:

    Derived terms

    * idolatry * idolise, idolize

    Anagrams

    * * * * * ----