Main Entry:

gno·mon

Pronunciation:

\ˈnō-mən, -ˌmän\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Latin, from Greek gnōmōn interpreter, pointer on a sundial, from gignōskein

Date:

1546

1: an object that by the position or length of its shadow serves as an indicator esp. of the hour of the day: as a: the pin of a sundial b: a column or shaft erected perpendicular to the horizon 2: the remainder of a parallelogram after the removal of a similar parallelogram containing one of its corners

[gnomon illustration]