King James Bible Dictionary

For the measurement of time, only once mentioned in the Bible, erected by Ahaz (2 Kings 20:11; Isaiah 38:8). The Hebrew word (ma'aloth) is rendered "steps" in Exodus 20:26, 1 Kings 10:19, and "degrees" in 2 Kings 20:9, 10, 11. The ma'aloth was probably stairs on which the shadow of a column or obelisk placed on the top fell. The shadow would cover a greater or smaller number of steps, according as the sun was low or high.

Probably the sun-dial was a Babylonian invention. Daniel at Babylon (Daniel 3:6) is the first to make mention of the "hour."

A contrivance for indicating time by the sun's rays.
2 Kings 20:11; Isaiah 38:8

"An instrument for showing the time of day from the shadow of a style or gnomon on a graduated arc or surface; "rendered" steps" in Authorized Version, (Exodus 20:26; 2 Kings 10:19) and "degrees," (2 Kings 20:9,10,11; Isaiah 38:8) where to give a consistent rendering we should read with the margin the "degrees" rather than the "dial" of Ahaz. It is probable that the dial of Ahaz was really a series of steps or stairs, and that the shadow (Perhaps of some column or obelisk on the top) fell on a greater or smaller number of them according as the sun was low or high. The terrace of a palace might easily be thus ornamented.

DIAL, noun An instrument for measuring time, by the aid of the sun; being a plate or plain surface, on which lines are drawn in such a manner, that the shadow of a wire, or of the upper edge of another plane, erected perpendicularly on the former, may show the true time of the day. The edge of the plane, which shows the time, is called the stile of the dial and this must be parallel to the axis of the earth. The line on which this plane is erected, is called the substile; and the angle included between the substile and stile, is called the elevation or highth of the stile. A dial may be horizontal, vertical, or inclining.

DIALECT, noun [Gr.]

1. The form or idiom of a language, peculiar to a province, or to a kingdom or state; consisting chiefly in differences of orthography or pronunciation. The Greek language is remarkable for four dialects, the Attic, Iionic, Doric and Eolic. A dialect is the branch of a parent language, with such local alterations as time, accident and revolutions may have introduced among descendants of the same stock or family, living in separate or remote situations. But in regard to a large portion of words, many languages, which are considered as distinct, are really dialects of one common language.

2. Language; speech, or manner of speaking.

DIALECTICAL, adjective

1. Pertaining to a dialect, or dialects; not radical.

2. Logical; argumental.

DIALECTICALLY, adverb In the manner of dialect.

DIALECTICIAN, noun A logician; a reasoner.

DIALECTICS, noun That branch of logic which teaches the rules and modes of reasoning.

DIALING, noun The art of constructing dials, or of drawing dials on a plane. The sciateric science, or knowledge of showing the time by shadows.

DIALIST, noun A constructor of dials; one skilled in dialing.

DIALLAGE, noun [Gr., difference, alluding to the difference of luster between its natural joints.] A mineral, the smaragdite of Saussure, of a lamellar or foliated structure. Its subspecies are green diallage metalloidal diallage and bronzite. The metalloidal subspecies is called schillersteing, or shiller spar.

DIALOGISM, noun A feigned speech between two or more.

DIALOGIST, noun [See Dialogue.] A speaker in a dialogue; also, a writer of dialogues.

DIALOGISTIC, adjective Having the form of a dialogue.

DIALOGISTICALLY, adverb In the manner of dialogue.

DIALOGIZE, verb intransitive [See Dialogue.] To discourse in dialogue.

DIALOGUE, noun Dialog. [Gr., to dispute; to speak.]

1. A conversation or conference between two or more persons; particularly, a formal conversation in theatrical performances; also, an exercise in colleges and schools, in which two or more persons carry on a discourse.

2. A written conversation, or a composition in which two or more persons are represented as conversing on some topic; as the dialogues of Cicero de Oratore, and de Natura Deorum.

DIALOGUE, verb intransitive To discourse together; to confer. [Not used.]

DIALOGUE-WRITER, noun A writer of dialogues or feigned conversations.

DIAL-PLATE, noun The plate of a dial on which the lines are drawn, to show the hour or time of the day.

DIALYSIS, noun [Gr., to dissolve.]

1. A mark in writing or printing, consisting of two points placed over one of two vowels, to dissolve a diphthong, or to show that the two vowels are to be separated in pronunciation; as, aer, mosaic.

2. In medicine, debility; also, a solution of continuity.