Definition

A device that tells the time by using the position of the sun and the shadow it casts on a flat surface marked with hours.

Example

We used a sundial in the garden to tell the time on sunny days.

Conversation

Have you ever seen a sundial in a garden?

Yeah, they look really interesting and old-fashioned!

I love how they rely on the sun to tell time.

It's a pretty cool way to connect with nature, isn't it?

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

**Sundial** → The word is formed from "sun" (from Old English *sunne*, meaning the star that provides light and warmth) and "dial" (from Latin *dialis*, meaning daily or relating to the day). A sundial is a device that tells the time by the position of the sun's shadow on a marked surface, thus relating to the sun and the daily passage of time.

Memory Tip

Think of the 'sun' as the source of light that casts a shadow, and 'dial' as a way to measure time. A sundial is a tool that uses the sun's position to tell the time of day.

Visually Confused Words