clock

¹

[ klok ]

noun

1. an instrument for measuring and recording time, especially by mechanical means, usually with hands or changing numbers to indicate the hour and minute: not designed to be worn or carried about.
2. time clock.
3. a meter or other device, as a speedometer or taximeter, for measuring and recording speed, distance covered, or other quantitative functioning.
4. biological clock ( def ).
5. Clock, Astronomy. the constellation Horologium.
6. Computers. the circuit in a digital computer that provides a common reference train of electronic pulses for all other circuits.

verb (used with object)

1. to time, test, or determine by means of a clock or watch:

   The racehorse was clocked at two minutes thirty seconds.

2. Slang. to strike sharply or heavily:

   Somebody clocked him on the face.

3. Slang. to identify (someone) as transgender or as the gender they were assigned at birth, especially when they do not wish to be so identified:

   She clocked me on our first date, but told me she was transgender too.

verb phrase

1. to end work, especially by punching a time clock:

   He clocked out early yesterday.

2. to begin work, especially by punching a time clock:

   She clocked in at 9 a.m. on the dot.

clock

²

[ klok ]

noun

1. a short embroidered or woven ornament on each side or on the outer side of a sock or stocking, extending from the ankle upward.

verb (used with object)

1. to embroider with such an ornament.

clock

¹

/ klɒk /

noun

1. an ornamental design either woven in or embroidered on the side of a stocking

clock

²

/ klɒk /

noun

1. a timepiece, usually free-standing, hanging, or built into a tower, having mechanically or electrically driven pointers that move constantly over a dial showing the numbers of the hours Compare digital clock watch
2. any clocklike device for recording or measuring, such as a taximeter or pressure gauge
3. the downy head of a dandelion that has gone to seed
4. an electrical circuit that generates pulses at a predetermined rate
5. computing an electronic pulse generator that transmits streams of regular pulses to which various parts of the computer and its operations are synchronized
6. short for time clock
7. around the clock or round the clock
   all day and all night
8. the clock
   an informal word for speedometer mileometer
9. a slang word for face
10. against the clock
    1. under pressure, as to meet a deadline
    2. (in certain sports, such as show jumping) timed by a stop clock

       the last round will be against the clock

11. put the clock back
    to regress

verb

1. slang.
   tr to strike, esp on the face or head
2. slang.
   tr to see or notice
3. tr to record time as with a stopwatch, esp in the calculation of speed
4. electronics to feed a clock pulse to (a digital device) in order to cause it to switch to a new state

Derived Forms

• ˈclockˌlike, adjective
• ˈclocker, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of clock¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English clok(ke), from Middle Dutch clocke “bell, clock,” or Old French cloke, cloque, from Medieval Latin clocca, perhaps of Celtic origin (compare Old Irish clocc “bell,” Old Cornish cloch ); ultimately of imitative origin; cloak

Origin of clock²

First recorded in 1510–20; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of clock¹

C16: from Middle Dutch clocke, from Medieval Latin clocca bell

Origin of clock²

C14: from Middle Dutch clocke clock, from Medieval Latin clocca bell, ultimately of Celtic origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. around the clock,
   1. during all 24 hours; ceaselessly.
   2. without stopping for rest; tirelessly:

      working around the clock to stem the epidemic.

2. clean (someone's) clock, Informal. defeat; vanquish.
3. kill the clock, Sports. to use up as much game time as possible when one is winning, as to protect a lead in basketball, ice hockey, or football. Also run out the clock.
4. stop the clock, to postpone an official or legal deadline by ceasing to count the hours or minutes that elapse, such as when a new union contract must be agreed upon before an old contract runs out, or when play time in a game must be interrupted for an allowable reason.

More idioms and phrases containing clock

• against the clock
• beat the clock
• clean someone's clock
• like clock-work
• set back (the clock)
• stop someone's clock
• stop the clock

Example Sentences

The body clock shifts, making it easier to stay up late and harder to wake early.

From Science News For Students

This clock can distinguish between different colors of light.

From Science News For Students

In the future, even more precise atomic clocks could provide further information about what makes the universe tick.

From Science News

They had bedrooms next to the rooms where their animals were being deprived so they could monitor around the clock.

From Quanta Magazine

So the merchants of bad, as we call them, are just going at us around the clock trying to sell us their wares.

From Freakonomics

France 24 is providing live, round-the-clock coverage of both scenes as they progress.

From The Daily Beast

The wine cellar—one of the best in the world—survived World War II and is guarded around the clock.

From The Daily Beast

They thrive on packed schedules, they say, and take pleasure in working around the clock.

From The Daily Beast

He becomes increasingly paranoid by the societal fixtures around him—a ticking clock, a ringing phone.

From The Daily Beast

Bill Haley had kicked rock off with “Rock Around the Clock,” but Elvis Presley made it an international phenomenon.

From The Daily Beast

The night wore on, and the clock downstairs was striking the hour of two when she suddenly awakened.

From Project Gutenberg

The clock struck ten, and clerks poured in faster than ever, each one in a greater perspiration than his predecessor.

From Project Gutenberg

As it came near, it proved to be the clock, with a sail hoisted, and the Goblin sitting complacently in the stern.

From Project Gutenberg

A clock was put above the spot where the fountain stood, in April, 1852, which cost £60.

From Project Gutenberg

The tower has four clock faces, pinnacles at the angles, and a steep slate roof and is 120 feet high.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• timer