An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics
English-French-Persian

An instrument for showing apparent solar time by the position of the shadow cast by an indicator. → gnomon.

From → Sun + -dial M.E. instrument for telling time by the Sun's shadow, presumably from M.L. dialis "daily," from L. dies "day;" → diurnal.

Sâ'at-e âftâbi, from sâ'at, → clock, + âftâb, → Sun.