hourglass
hourglass Lexical Profile
hourglass Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A timekeeping device consisting of two transparent glass bulbs connected by a narrow neck, containing sand or a similar substance that takes exactly one hour to trickle from the upper chamber to the lower one.
"Before the invention of mechanical clocks, sailors relied heavily on an hourglass to track the duration of their shifts at sea."
A shape or figure that is wide at the top and bottom and distinctly narrow in the middle, commonly used to describe a particular human physique or an iconic graphical symbol.
"The dress was tailored to cinch at the waist, accentuating her classic hourglass silhouette."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
First attested in the late 14th century, compounded from 'hour' + 'glass', as the devices became common in Europe for keeping time, particularly for maritime navigation.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.