A dial used to indicate a character or code on any of various types of telegraph; (in later use) especially a dial on a ship's telegraph used to communicate between the bridge and the engine room.
Origin
Mid 19th century.
Definition of telegraph dial in US English:
telegraph dial
noun
historical
A dial used to indicate a character or code on any of various types of telegraph; (in later use) especially a dial on a ship's telegraph used to communicate between the bridge and the engine room.