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Webster 1913 Edition

Hourglass

Hour′glassˊ

,
Noun.
An instrument for measuring time, especially the interval of an hour. It consists of a glass vessel having two compartments, from the uppermost of which a quantity of sand, water, or mercury occupies an hour in running through a small aperture unto the lower.
☞ A similar instrument measuring any other interval of time takes its name from the interval measured; as, a
half-hour glass
, a
half-minute glass
. A
three-minute glass
is sometimes called an egg-glass, from being used to time the boiling of eggs.

Webster 1828 Edition

Hourglass

HOUR'GLASS

,
Noun.
our'glass. A chronometer that measures the flux of time by the running of sand from one glass vessel to another, through a small aperture. Instead of sand, dry egg shells pulverized are sometimes used. The quantity of sand may be so proportioned as to measure an hour, a half hour, or a quarter.
1.
Space of time.

Definition 2024

hourglass

hourglass

English

Noun

hourglass ‎(plural hourglasses)

  1. A clock made of two glass vessels connected with a narrow passage, with sand flowing through that passage.
    After each game turn, invert the hourglass to reset the time limit for the next player.
  2. (computing) A pointer, often shaped like an hourglass, indicating the computer is busy.
    The computer showed an hourglass mouse cursor to indicate that it was too busy to process user input.

Synonyms

Hyponyms

Derived terms

Translations

Etymology

hour +‎ glass

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈaʊəglɑːs/
Wooden hourglass

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