Home › Glossary › Letter D

Diall

Archaic Terms
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

Want to hear it? Click the Listen button to hear the browser speak the word using text-to-speech!

The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

An archaic spelling of 'dial', referring to a device that shows time.

Detailed Definition
The term 'Diall' is an old-fashioned spelling of 'dial', which historically refers to a device used to indicate time, such as a sundial. In the poem, it symbolizes the passage of time and the constancy of nature, contrasting with the speaker's feelings of betrayal and untruthfulness. The use of this archaic form adds a layer of historical depth to the poem's exploration of time and fidelity.
Example
Example in poetry:
"...nor doth the Hand Or Shadow on the Diall stand;..." (sundial, timepiece); "The diall marks the hours" (time); "The sun-diall in the garden" (poetic); "The diall of my life" (metaphorical); "Shadow on the diall" (transience)
Additional Notes
The word 'Diall' is used in the context of timekeeping, emphasizing the theme of time's relentless passage.; Found in the poem, Falsehood by William Cartwright
Also Known As
dial sundial timepiece horologe
Skip to main content