Definition:Gnomon/Linguistic Note

Linguistic Note on Gnomon

The word gnomon is a Greek one, generally meaning marker or indicator (literally: a thing that enables something to be known), and specifically meaning the piece of a sundial that casts the shadow.

Some sources interpret gnomon to mean carpenter's square.

The words gnostic and agnostic come from the same root.

The word is nowadays rarely (if ever) encountered outside the works of Euclid; specifically, The Elements.

Sources

• 1992: George F. Simmons: Calculus Gems ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $\text {A}.2$: Pythagoras (ca. $\text {580}$ – $\text {500}$ B.C.)