The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Dial \Di"al\, n. [LL. dialis daily, fr. L. dies day. See
   Deity.]
   1. An instrument, formerly much used for showing the time of
      day from the shadow of a style or gnomon on a graduated
      arc or surface; esp., a sundial; but there are lunar and
      astral dials. The style or gnomon is usually parallel to
      the earth's axis, but the dial plate may be either
      horizontal or vertical.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. The graduated face of a timepiece, on which the time of
      day is shown by pointers or hands.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. A miner's compass.
      [1913 Webster]

   Dial bird (Zool.), an Indian bird (Copsychus saularius),
      allied to the European robin. The name is also given to
      other related species.

   Dial lock, a lock provided with one or more plates having
      numbers or letters upon them. These plates must be
      adjusted in a certain determined way before the lock can
      be operated.

   Dial plate, the plane or disk of a dial or timepiece on
      which lines and figures for indicating the time are
      placed.
      [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Dial \Di"al\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dialedor Dialled; p. pr. &
   vb. n. Dialing or Dialling.]
   1. To measure with a dial.
      [1913 Webster]

            Hours of that true time which is dialed in heaven.
                                                  --Talfourd.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Mining) To survey with a dial. --Raymond.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

dial
    n 1: the face of a timepiece; graduated to show the hours
    2: the control on a radio or television set that is used for
       tuning
    3: the circular graduated indicator on various measuring
       instruments
    4: a disc on a telephone that is rotated a fixed distance for
       each number called [syn: dial, telephone dial]
    v 1: operate a dial to select a telephone number; "You must take
         the receiver off the hook before you dial"
    2: choose by means of a dial; "dial a telephone number"