Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
DIAL, n. Sc. usages in combs.: 1. dial-cock, the style or gnomon of a sun-dial (Sc. 1911 S.D.D.Add.); 2. dial-stane, the stone on which the figures are inscribed (Bnff.2, Ags.17 1940).1. Ags.17 1940:
An old mason who built the wall for the big sun-dial . . . said, “That's the langest dial-cock ever I saw.”2. Edb. 1871 T. Logan Poems 125:
Ower the dial-stane rude, weather-beaten, and grey.