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gnomon

noun
gno·​mon | \ ˈnō-mən How to pronounce gnomon (audio) , -ˌmän\

Definition of gnomon

1 : an object that by the position or length of its shadow serves as an indicator especially of the hour of the day: such as
a : the pin of a sundial
b : a column or shaft erected perpendicular to the horizon
2 : the remainder of a parallelogram after the removal of a similar parallelogram containing one of its corners

Illustration of gnomon

Illustration of gnomon

bcdefg gnomon 2

Examples of gnomon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 There are many types of sundials, but in general each consists of a gnomon, a thin rod that casts a shadow onto a dial, and a flat plate or platform. — Megan Arnett, Scientific American, "It's About Time... to Make a Sundial!," 15 Mar. 2018 The original clock is missing its gnomon, the part of a sundial that casts a shadow, but an 18th-century museum curator described it having one in the shape of a pig’s tail, so Parslow re-created that, too. — National Geographic, "Ancient Sundial Shaped Like Ham Was Roman Pocket Watch," 19 Jan. 2017

First Known Use of gnomon

1546, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for gnomon

borrowed from Latin gnōmōn "pointer of a sundial," borrowed from Greek gnṓmōn "examiner, interpreter, carpenter's square, pointer of a sundial," from gnō-, base of gignṓskein "to perceive, know" + -mon-, -mōn, agent suffix — more at know entry 1

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