dial

1) An instrument used in the surveying of mines.

An explicit reference in Colsterdale explains how it was used, at least in lead-mining: 1766 the way of setting out the ground is thus viz A dial or compass is carried down to the bottom of the shaft which shows towards which point the vein runs, then by placing the compass at the top a line is drawn the same way and the side ground set out from it . Note the verb ‘to dial’: 1669 being weary and sleepy for my throng this day being dialling two shafts at Copperthwaite, Marrick.

dates 1669 1766

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