gnomon

[ noh-mon ]

noun

1. the raised part of a sundial that casts the shadow; a style.
2. an early astronomical instrument consisting of a vertical shaft, column, or the like, for determining the altitude of the sun or the latitude of a position by measuring the length of its shadow cast at noon.
3. Geometry. (formerly) the part of a parallelogram that remains after a similar parallelogram has been taken away from one of its corners.

gnomon

/ ˈnəʊmɒn /

noun

1. the stationary arm that projects the shadow on a sundial
2. a geometric figure remaining after a parallelogram has been removed from one corner of a larger parallelogram

Derived Forms

• gnoˈmonic, adjective
• gnoˈmonically, adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of gnomon¹

1540–50; < Latin gnōmōn pin of a sundial < Greek gnṓmōn literally, interpreter, discerner

Word History and Origins

Origin of gnomon¹

C16: from Latin, from Greek: interpreter, from gignōskein to know

Example Sentences

But I landed in the dark chamber of a Gnomon, waist-deep in loose wheat.

From Project Gutenberg

I mounted the only unsealed Gnomon and shouted down into its cavernous depths.

From Project Gutenberg

A gnomon or pin erected so as to throw its traveling shadow across a graduated arc constitutes a dial.

From Project Gutenberg

A figure in the shape of a gnomon put round two sides of a square makes it into a larger square.

From Project Gutenberg

And the given absolute magnitude to which it is equal is the rectangle beneath the unequal segments, without gnomon.

From Project Gutenberg