Gnomon
/ˈnoʊ.mən/noun
The raised part of a sundial that casts a shadow, or a geometric figure used to compare or extend shapes.
Did you know?The word comes from Greek gnomōn, “one who knows” or “indicator,” from the same root as gnosis and know—because the shadow was treated like a revealer of hidden truth.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ǵneh₃-
“to know”
Ancient Greek
Greek
gnṓmōn (γνώμων)
“an interpreter, judge, or indicator; later a sundial pointer”
Latin
Latin
gnomon
“a pointer or index, especially on a sundial”
Middle English
English
gnomon
“a sundial pointer or geometric figure”
Modern English
English
gnomon
“the raised part of a sundial that casts a shadow, or a geometric figure used to compare or extend shapes”