chronometer

American  

[kruh-nom-i-ter] / krəˈnɒm ɪ tər /

noun

1. a timepiece or timing device with a special mechanism for ensuring and adjusting its accuracy, for use in determining longitude at sea or for any purpose where very exact measurement of time is required.

2. any timepiece, especially a wristwatch, designed for the highest accuracy.

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chronometer British  

/ krəˈnɒmɪtə, ˌkrɒnəˈmɛtrɪk /

noun

1. a timepiece designed to be accurate in all conditions of temperature, pressure, etc, used esp at sea

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chronometer Scientific  

/ krə-nŏm′ĭ-tər /

1. An extremely accurate clock or other timepiece. Chronometers are used in scientific experiments, navigation, and astronomical observations. It was the invention of a chronometer capable of being used aboard ship, in 1762, that allowed navigators for the first time to accurately determine their longitude at sea.

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Other Word Forms

• chronometric
  adjective
• chronometrical
  adjective
• chronometrically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of chronometer

First recorded in 1705–15; chrono- + -meter

Explanation

A chronometer is a type of device that measures time in a manner that is highly accurate — not your average, ordinary watch. A chronometer is an exceptionally precise and stable timepiece that keeps accurate time even under harsh conditions. Marine chronometers, for example, must maintain accuracy despite the temperature fluctuations, humid conditions, and rocking motion that are common on ships at sea. The first practical marine chronometer was invented by John Harrison in the 18th century; it enabled navigators to accurately determine longitude, thus making maritime travel much safer. The word chronometer is built from Greek roots chronos, "time," and metron, "measure."

Example Sentences

The company’s Marine Chronometer Manufacture features a new in-house movement, the UN-118 Caliber, with an anchor escapement made of a material dubbed DIAMonSIL, a composite of silicon and synthetic diamond.

From New York Times • Nov. 23, 2012

Chronometer 2287 would not wind up in the morning, and stopped during the day, but, having run down, wound again without difficulty.

From Journals of Australian Explorations by Gregory, Augustus Charles

Superior lever, with Chronometer Balance, Gold, 27, 23 and 19 guineas.

From Notes and Queries, Number 214, December 3, 1853 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc. by Bell, George

Not having a Chronometer to ascertain his longitude for himself, he adopted that assigned by the tracing furnished from the Surveyor-General's Office.

From Narrative of the Overland Expedition of the Messrs. Jardine from Rockhampton to Cape York, Northern Queensland by Byerley, Frederick, J.

The teeth of the escapement-wheel A come alternately against the outer surface of the pallet K and the inner surface of the pallet H. 3, Chronometer escapement.

From The New Gresham Encyclopedia Volume 4, Part 2: Ebert to Estremadura by Various