sundial

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A device measuring the time of day by the position of a shadow cast by a pole or plate (gnomon) upon an engraved series of marks.

   The birdbath includes a small gnomon that acts as a sundial with markings on the basin if it's aligned correctly with the sun.

2. 2
   noun

   timepiece that indicates the daylight hours by the shadow that the gnomon casts on a calibrated dial

3. 3
   noun

   A sea snail of the genus Heliacus.

Etymology

From sun + dial, a clarification of dial after it was used for other objects as well.