gnomon
1 synonym for gnomon, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The pillar, rod or pointer that tells the time by casting a shadow, especially the pointer on a sundial.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
How to use gnomon
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
sundial gnomon
shadow of the gnomon
It is a specialist term, used in horology, astronomy and geometry.
Etymology
English borrowed the word from French or directly from Latin, which took it from Ancient Greek gnomon, meaning a discerner or interpreter and also a carpenter's square. The Greek is ultimately linked to a root meaning to know, so the word is related to know.
Full origin of gnomon →Frequently asked questions
What is a gnomon on a sundial?
It is the pointer or rod that casts the shadow used to tell the time.
How do you pronounce gnomon?
The g is silent, so it sounds like NOH-mon.
What is a gnomon in geometry?
It is the L-shaped figure left when a smaller similar parallelogram is cut from a corner of a larger one.
