clepsydra

noun

clep·sy·dra ˈklep-sə-drə How to pronounce clepsydra (audio)

plural clepsydras or clepsydrae ˈklep-sə-ˌdrē How to pronounce clepsydra (audio)

-ˌdrī

: water clock

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In ancient times the sun was used to measure time during the day, but sundials weren't much help after dark, so peoples around the world invented clocks that used dripping water to mark the hours. In one kind of water clock, possibly invented by the Chaldeans, a vessel was filled with water that was allowed to escape through a hole. The vessel's inside was marked with graduated lines, and the time was read by measuring the level of the remaining water. The ancient Greeks called their water clocks "klepsydra" ("water thief"), which comes from "kleptein" ("to steal") and "hydōr" ("water"). English speakers stole "clepsydra" from the Greeks in the 16th century, but actual water clocks have become increasingly rare.

clepsydra

noun

as in sundial

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

sundial
hourglass
sandglass
clock
chronometer
stopwatch
water clock
grandfather clock
timekeeper
time clock
alarm clock
atomic clock
cuckoo clock
chronograph
timepiece
timer
watch

单词	clepsydra
释义	clepsydra noun clep·sy·dra ˈklep-sə-drə plural clepsydras or clepsydrae ˈklep-sə-ˌdrē -ˌdrī : water clock Did you know? In ancient times the sun was used to measure time during the day, but sundials weren't much help after dark, so peoples around the world invented clocks that used dripping water to mark the hours. In one kind of water clock, possibly invented by the Chaldeans, a vessel was filled with water that was allowed to escape through a hole. The vessel's inside was marked with graduated lines, and the time was read by measuring the level of the remaining water. The ancient Greeks called their water clocks "klepsydra" ("water thief"), which comes from "kleptein" ("to steal") and "hydōr" ("water"). English speakers stole "clepsydra" from the Greeks in the 16th century, but actual water clocks have become increasingly rare. Example Sentences Recent Examples on the Web Time is kept with a clepsydra, an antique clock consisting of a coconut shell with a hole in it floating in a bucket of water. Paul Salopek, History & Culture, 4 Dec. 2020 Word History Etymology Latin, from Greek klepsydra, from kleptein to steal + hydōr water — more at klepto-, water First Known Use 1580, in the meaning defined above clepsydra noun as in sundial Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance sundial hourglass sandglass clock chronometer stopwatch water clock grandfather clock timekeeper time clock alarm clock atomic clock cuckoo clock chronograph timepiece timer watch
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clepsydra

noun

Did you know?

Example Sentences

Word History

noun