sundial crossword – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Crosswordanswer.co.uk! If you're looking for solutions to the clue "sundial crossword", you've come to the right place. We provide accurate and helpful answers for various letter lengths, along with explanations to help you understand the connection and improve your puzzle-solving skills.
Solutions for "sundial crossword" by Letter Count
3 Letters
SUN: The celestial body that provides the light for a sundial to function.
4 Letters
DIAL: The calibrated plate or face of a sundial that shows the hours.
TIME: The fundamental concept measured and displayed by a sundial.
6 Letters
GNOMON: The part of a sundial that casts the shadow used to indicate the time.
SHADOW: The moving indicator cast by the gnomon, essential for a sundial's operation.
More About "sundial crossword"
A sundial is an ancient and elegant device for telling time using the apparent position of the sun in the sky. Its primary components include a gnomon (the part that casts a shadow) and a dial plate, which is marked with lines indicating hours. The precision of a sundial depends on its accurate alignment with the Earth's axis and its specific geographic location.
In crosswords, clues related to 'sundial' often point to its fundamental elements, what it measures, or the celestial body it relies upon. Answers can range from literal components like GNOMON or DIAL, to abstract concepts like TIME, or its energy source, the SUN. Understanding these associations can greatly assist in cracking related clues in future puzzles.
Despite the advent of mechanical clocks and digital devices, sundials remain fascinating historical artifacts and beautiful garden features, reminding us of early human ingenuity in understanding and harnessing natural phenomena for practical purposes.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Analyze the Clue's Context: For clues like "sundial crossword", consider if it's asking for a component (GNOMON, DIAL), a related concept (TIME, SHADOW), or even the power source (SUN).
- Count the Letters: Always double-check the number of letters required for the answer. This is the most crucial hint in crosswords and immediately narrows down your options significantly.
- Think Synonyms and Associations: Broaden your thinking beyond direct definitions. What other words or concepts are strongly associated with a sundial? Think about related devices, historical terms, or even poetic connections.
- Utilize Intersecting Words: The most powerful crossword-solving technique is using letters from intersecting words. If you have a few letters, it becomes much easier to deduce the full answer.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a gnomon on a sundial?
The gnomon is the part of a sundial that casts a shadow, typically a thin rod or plate, whose shadow moves across the dial to indicate the time of day.
How do sundials tell time?
Sundials tell time by tracking the position of the sun. A fixed component called a gnomon casts a shadow onto a calibrated surface (the dial). As the sun moves across the sky, the shadow moves, indicating the hour marked on the dial.
Why are sundials common crossword clues?
Sundials are popular crossword clues because they relate to time, ancient technology, and have distinct, often one-word parts (like 'gnomon' or 'dial') or associated concepts (like 'shadow' or 'sun') that fit various letter counts in puzzles.