Pronunciation: [nˈɒmən] (IPA) 
The word "gnomon" (pronounced /ˈnoʊ.mɒn/) may seem like an odd spelling choice for many English speakers. However, its spelling is derived from the Greek word "gnōmōn," which means "indicator." The "g" in "gnomon" is silent, as it is a common pattern in Greek loanwords. The "o" is pronounced as "oh," the "m" is pronounced as "em," and the "n" is pronounced as "en." Together, the word is pronounced as "noh-mon."
Gnomon is a noun that refers to a device used in ancient times to determine the time of day or the position of celestial bodies by observing the sun's shadow. It typically consists of a vertical stick or a flat surface, such as the arm of a sundial, that casts a shadow on a surface marked with hour lines or degrees. The length and direction of the shadow would change as the sun moved across the sky, enabling people to estimate the time or track the motion of celestial bodies.
In addition to its timekeeping function, a gnomon can also be used to measure angles, determine latitude or be incorporated into various mathematical instruments. The use of gnomons can be traced back to early civilizations, including the Babylonians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, who employed these devices for both practical and scientific purposes.
The term "gnomon" is derived from the Greek word "gnōmōn," meaning "indicator" or "interpreter." It is closely related to the Greek verb "gnōsthai," which means "to know" or "to understand," highlighting the gnomon's role in facilitating observation and interpretation of natural phenomena.
Today, gnomons can still be found in some traditional sundials, architectural designs, or artistic installations as decorative elements or reminders of our historical connection to timekeeping and astronomy. While the gnomon has been largely replaced by more precise and technologically advanced instruments, its legacy continues to be appreciated for its historical significance and symbolism.
In a sun-dial, the pin which by its shadow shows the hour of the day; that which remains of a parallelogram after taking away one of the two parallelograms formed about the diagonal.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "gnomon" comes from the Greek word "gnṓmōn", which means "one who discerns" or "that which shows or points out". It is derived from the verb "gignṓskein", meaning "to know" or "to perceive". In ancient Greece, a gnomon referred to the upright, often tapered, part of a sundial that cast a shadow indicating the time of day. Over time, the term expanded to include any object or device used for similar purposes or to make measurements.
