clepsydra

clep·sy·dra

C0401700 (klĕp′sĭ-drə)n. pl. clep·sy·dras or clep·sy·drae (-drē′) An ancient device that measured time by marking the regulated flow of water through a small opening. Also called water glass.

[Latin, from Greek klepsudrā : kleptein, kleps-, to steal + hudōr, water; see wed- in Indo-European roots.]

clepsydra

(ˈklɛpsɪdrə) n, pl -dras or -drae (-ˌdriː) (Horology) an ancient device for measuring time by the flow of water or mercury through a small aperture. Also called: water clock [C17: from Latin, from Greek klepsudra, from kleptein to steal + hudōr water]

clep•sy•dra

(ˈklɛp sɪ drə)

n., pl. -dras, -drae (-ˌdri) water clock. [1640–50; < Latin < Greek klepsýdra <kléptein to steal + hýdōr water]

clepsydra

an instrument for measuring time by the controlled flow of water or mercury through a small opening.See also: Instruments, Time

Thesaurus

Noun

clepsydra - clock that measures time by the escape of waterwater clock, water glassclock - a timepiece that shows the time of day

clepsydra

(klĕp`sĭdrə) or

water clock,

ancient device for measuring time by means of the flow of water from a container. A simple form of clepsydra was an earthenware vessel with a small opening through which the water dripped; as the water level dropped, it exposed marks on the walls of the vessel that indicated the time that had elapsed since the vessel was full. More elaborate clepsydras were later developed. Some were double vessels, the larger one below containing a float that rose with the water and marked the hours on a scale. A form more closely foreshadowing the clock had a cord fastened to the float so that it turned a wheel, whose movement indicated the time. A further step was the use of gear wheels and a turning pointer. It is believed that clepsydras were used in Egypt c.2000 B.C.; from Egypt they were introduced into Greece and later from there into Rome.

clepsydra

clep·sy·dra

clepsydra

clep•sy•dra

clepsydra

clepsydra

clepsydra

water clock,

clepsydra

Synonyms for clepsydra

noun clock that measures time by the escape of water

Synonyms

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