di|ag|no|sis /da I əgnoʊ s I s/ (diagnoses ) N‑VAR Diagnosis is the discovery and naming of what is wrong with someone who is ill or with something that is not working properly. □ I need to have a second test to confirm the diagnosis.
di|ag|nos|tic /da I əgnɒ st I k/ ADJ [ADJ n] Diagnostic equipment, methods, or systems are used for discovering what is wrong with people who are ill or with things that do not work properly. □ …X-rays and other diagnostic tools.
di|ago|nal /da I æ gən ə l/ (diagonals )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A diagonal line or movement goes in a sloping direction, for example, from one corner of a square across to the opposite corner. □ …a pattern of diagonal lines. ● di|ago|nal|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Vaulting the stile, he headed diagonally across the paddock.
2 N‑COUNT A diagonal is a line that goes in a sloping direction. □ The bed linen is patterned in stylish checks, stripes, diagonals and triangles.
3 N‑COUNT In geometry, a diagonal is a straight line that joins two opposite corners in a flat four-sided shape such as a square. □ Mark five points an equal distance apart along the diagonals.
dia|gram /da I əgræm/ (diagrams ) N‑COUNT A diagram is a simple drawing which consists mainly of lines and is used, for example, to explain how a machine works. □ You can reduce long explanations to simple charts or diagrams.
dia|gram|mat|ic /da I əgrəmæ t I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is in diagrammatic form is arranged or drawn as a diagram. □ This is the virus in very crude simple diagrammatic form.
dial /da I əl/ (dials , dialling , dialled ) in AM, use dialing , dialed 1 N‑COUNT A dial is the part of a machine or instrument such as a clock or watch which shows you the time or a measurement that has been recorded. □ The luminous dial on the clock showed five minutes to seven.
2 N‑COUNT A dial is a control on a device or piece of equipment which you can move in order to adjust the setting, for example to select or change the frequency on a radio or the temperature of a heater. □ He turned the dial on the radio.
3 N‑COUNT On some telephones, especially older ones, the dial is the disc on the front that you turn with your finger to choose the number that you want to call. The disc has holes in it, and numbers or letters behind the holes.
4 VERB If you dial or if you dial a number, you turn the dial or press the buttons on a telephone in order to phone someone. □ [V n] He lifted the phone and dialled her number. □ [V ] He dialled, and spoke briefly to the duty officer.
dia|lect /da I əlekt/ (dialects ) N‑VAR [oft in N ] A dialect is a form of a language that is spoken in a particular area. □ In the fifties, many Italians spoke only local dialect. □ They began to speak rapidly in dialect.
dia|lec|tic /da I əle kt I k/ (dialectics )
1 N‑COUNT People refer to the dialectic or dialectics of a situation when they are referring to the way in which two very different forces or factors work together, and the way in which their differences are resolved. [TECHNICAL , FORMAL ] □ …the dialectics of class struggle and of socio-economic change.
2 N‑UNCOUNT In philosophy, dialectics is a method of reasoning and reaching conclusions by considering theories and ideas together with ones that contradict them. [TECHNICAL ]
dia|lec|ti|cal /da I əle kt I k ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] In philosophy, Dialectical is used to describe situations, theories, and methods which depend on resolving opposing factors. □ The essence of dialectical thought is division.
di al|ling code (dialling codes ) N‑COUNT A dialling code for a particular city or region is the series of numbers that you have to dial before a particular telephone number if you are making a call to that place from a different area. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, use area code
di al|ling tone (dialling tones ) N‑COUNT The dialling tone is the noise which you hear when you pick up a telephone receiver and which means that you can dial the number you want. [BRIT ] in AM, use dial tone
di a|log bo x (dialog boxes ) N‑COUNT A dialog box is a small area containing information or questions that appears on a computer screen when you are performing particular operations. [COMPUTING ]
dia|logue ◆◇◇ /da I əlɒg, [AM ] -lɔːg/ (dialogues ) in AM, also use dialog 1 N‑VAR Dialogue is communication or discussion between people or groups of people such as governments or political parties. □ People of all social standings should be given equal opportunities for dialogue.
2 N‑VAR A dialogue is a conversation between two people in a book, film, or play. □ The dialogue is amusing but the plot is weak. COLLOCATIONS dialogue NOUN
1
adjective + dialogue : constructive; interfaith, political
verb + dialogue : begin, establish, open, start; encourage, promote
2
adjective + dialogue : amusing, sharp, snappy, witty; contrived, stilted; spoken
verb + dialogue : improvise
di al tone (dial tones ) N‑COUNT The dial tone is the same as the dialling tone . [AM ]
di|aly|sis /da I æ l I s I s/ N‑UNCOUNT Dialysis or kidney dialysis is a method of treating kidney failure by using a machine to remove waste material from the kidneys. □ I was on dialysis for seven years before my first transplant.