grandmother clock: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Specialised, descriptive, sometimes historical; used in contexts discussing antiques, interior design, or clock-making.
Quick answer
What does “grandmother clock” mean?
A tall, freestanding, weight-driven pendulum clock smaller than a grandfather clock, typically measuring between 5 and 6 feet tall.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A tall, freestanding, weight-driven pendulum clock smaller than a grandfather clock, typically measuring between 5 and 6 feet tall.
A mid-sized floor clock, traditionally in a wooden case, representing a specific style of antique horology. It often carries connotations of family heirloom, tradition, and craftsmanship, distinct from its larger 'grandfather' counterpart.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is equally rare and specialised in both varieties. No significant lexical differences.
Connotations
Evokes similar images of antique, traditional timepieces in both cultures.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in everyday language. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British antiques contexts due to the historical prevalence of such clocks.
Grammar
How to Use “grandmother clock” in a Sentence
The [ADJ] grandmother clock [VERB] in the hall.They inherited a grandmother clock from [NOUN PHRASE].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “grandmother clock” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The grandmother-clock chime echoed softly.
American English
- She preferred a grandmother-clock style for the foyer.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Possibly in auction house catalogues or antique dealerships.
Academic
Used in horology (study of timekeeping) and material culture studies to classify clock types.
Everyday
Very rare. Used only if describing a specific inherited or purchased antique item.
Technical
A specific term in horology and antique furniture classification denoting size (typically 5-6 ft).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “grandmother clock”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “grandmother clock”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “grandmother clock”
- Using 'grandmother clock' to refer to any old clock owned by a grandmother.
- Confusing it with 'grandfather clock' and using the terms interchangeably.
- Hyphenating incorrectly (it's typically not hyphenated).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Essentially yes, in terms of the basic mechanism and design. The distinction is primarily one of size and the terminology used by clockmakers and antique dealers.
Like any pendulum clock, it needs a stable, level floor, away from drafts, direct sunlight, and moisture. Hallways, living rooms, and studies are common locations.
Most are key-wound. You typically insert a specific key into holes on the clock face and turn it to raise the weights. It is usually done weekly.
'Granddaughter clock' is a much rarer, informal term sometimes used for a very small tall-case clock (under 5 feet). It is not a standard horological classification like 'grandmother clock'.
A tall, freestanding, weight-driven pendulum clock smaller than a grandfather clock, typically measuring between 5 and 6 feet tall.
Grandmother clock is usually specialised, descriptive, sometimes historical; used in contexts discussing antiques, interior design, or clock-making. in register.
Grandmother clock: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡrænmʌðə klɒk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡrænmʌðər klɑːk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the clock family: the large Grandfather, the medium-sized Grandmother, and the small Granddaughter (a hypothetical, very small tall-case clock).
Conceptual Metaphor
THE PAST IS A PHYSICAL HEIRLOOM (the clock embodies and measures inherited time).
Practice
Quiz
What is the defining characteristic of a grandmother clock?