F

fiducial line

(or ~ edge): (pron. fid-oo-shal) the edge of an index plate or pointer against which a scale is read.

filem

An old term for a plumbline, particularly on a card dial, to show the vertical.

First point of Aries

See the definition for equinoxes. Note that, because of the precession of the equinoxes, this point currently lies in the constellation of Pisces.

fleur-de-lis

{fleur-de-lys}: an heraldic symbol of a stylised Madonna Lily, composed of three petals bound together near their bases. Often used on dials to denote the half-hour lines.

furniture

All features on a dial plate other than the hour lines and their numerals are referred to as dial ~. This may include declination lines, compass rose, EoT graphs or tables, mottoes etc. Other common furniture includes: date, maker’s and/or benefactor’s name, coats of arms, and latitude and (rarer) longitude. See Figure 1.