ROTARY DIAL Meaning and
Definition
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A rotary dial is a telecommunications device commonly used in older telephones for dialing phone numbers. It is a mechanical system consisting of a rotating disc or wheel with numbered holes corresponding to the digits on a phone number pad. Each hole contains a finger stopper that prevents further rotation of the dial when released.
To dial a number using a rotary dial, the user inserts their finger into the corresponding hole and rotates the dial clockwise until it reaches the finger stopper. Then, the user releases their finger, allowing the dial to rotate back to its original position. This process is repeated for each digit of the phone number, step by step, until the entire number is dialed.
As the dial returns to its original position after each digit, it sends a series of electronic pulses to the telephone exchange, which identifies and registers the dialed number. These pulses correspond to the number dialed and are used to establish a connection between the calling and receiving parties.
However, with the advent of touch-tone keypads, rotary dials have become less common in modern telephones. Despite their declining popularity, rotary dials still hold nostalgic value for many people and are sometimes used as retro decorative items or collectors' pieces.
Etymology of ROTARY DIAL
The word "rotary" derives from Latin "rota", meaning "wheel" or "circle". The term "dial" originates from the Latin word "dialis", which referred to a sundial or clock face. Therefore, the etymology of the term "rotary dial" combines the notion of a rotating or circular mechanism with the concept of a dial or indicator.
Idioms with the word ROTARY DIAL
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rotary dial
A rotary dial is a type of telephone dial in which a caller rotates a numbered wheel on the telephone to input a phone number by dialing each digit individually.
