gnomon

views updated May 17 2018

gnomon indicator, esp. of a sundial; †nose; part of a parallelogram remaining after a similar one is taken from one corner (from the resemblance to a carpenter's square ⌈). XVI. — F. gnomon or L. gnōmōn — Gr. gnṓmōn inspector, indicator, carpenter's square, f. IE. *gnō-; see KNOW.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

gnomon

views updated May 08 2018

gnomon A device that is erected beside a rock or structure of interest to provide a reference for the vertical and colour. It was used during the manned exploration of the Moon.

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY

More From encyclopedia.com

About this article

gnomon

All Sources -
Updated Aug 08 2016 About encyclopedia.com content Print Topic

You Might Also Like