water clock: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1+Formal; Historical/Academic; Technical (Horology)
Quick answer
What does “water clock” mean?
A device that measures time by the regulated flow of water into or out of a vessel.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A device that measures time by the regulated flow of water into or out of a vessel.
A historical timekeeping instrument used in various ancient civilizations, such as Egypt, Greece, and China, based on the principle of water flow. The term can also refer to modern decorative or novelty timepieces using water as an aesthetic element.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling remains the same.
Connotations
Evokes antiquity, ancient technology, and non-electrical timekeeping in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both BrE and AmE, found primarily in historical or scientific texts.
Grammar
How to Use “water clock” in a Sentence
The [ADJECTIVE] water clock [VERBed] ...They measured time with a water clock.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “water clock” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- This device cannot be 'water-clocked'; it's a noun.
American English
- This device cannot be 'water-clocked'; it's a noun.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverbial form]
American English
- [No standard adverbial form]
adjective
British English
- The water-clock mechanism was ingenious.
- They studied water-clock design.
American English
- The water-clock mechanism was ingenious.
- They studied water-clock design.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in history, archaeology, and history of science contexts to describe ancient technology.
Everyday
Extremely rare; might be used in educational settings or when discussing historical inventions.
Technical
Used in horology (study of timekeeping) to classify a type of time-measuring device.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “water clock”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “water clock”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “water clock”
- Confusing 'water clock' with 'hourglass'.
- Using it to refer to a modern clock that is simply water-resistant.
- Incorrect pluralisation: 'waters clock' (correct: water clocks).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. An hourglass uses sand, while a water clock uses the flow of water. Their mechanisms and historical contexts differ.
They were used from antiquity (c. 1500 BCE) through the Middle Ages in various cultures, before being largely superseded by mechanical clocks.
The technical term is 'clepsydra', derived from Greek words meaning 'water thief'.
Yes, but they are usually decorative or novelty items. Modern timekeeping relies on quartz, atomic, or digital mechanisms for accuracy.
A device that measures time by the regulated flow of water into or out of a vessel.
Water clock is usually formal; historical/academic; technical (horology) in register.
Water clock: in British English it is pronounced /ˈwɔːtə ˌklɒk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈwɔːt̬ɚ ˌklɑːk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this specific term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CLOCK where the TICKing sound is replaced by the sound of dripping WATER.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A FLUID (flowing, measurable quantity).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary principle of a water clock?