horology
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of horology
1810–20; < Greek hōro- (combining form of hṓra hour ) + -logy
Explanation
Horology is the scientific study of time. Specifically, horology involves the measurement of time and the making of clocks. You need a small leap of imagination to see hour in horology, but if you do, you've pretty much nailed the meaning: it refers to the study of time and the art of making timepieces. In horology, time is studied scientifically, just as a geologist studies the earth and a biologist studies life. Horology is very practical, since it involves the design and construction of clocks, watches, and other devices for measuring time. Someone who studies horology is a horologist.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“I have other interests that I’ll have more time to explore: food/cooking and my ‘Mitch in the Kitch’ series, travel, golf, horology.
From Seattle Times • Jul. 14, 2022
I connected with Carl Player in April 2020, after coming across his posts on internet message boards devoted to horology.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 9, 2021
And lately, Mr. Clymer is gaining visibility outside the horology underground.
From New York Times • Dec. 20, 2013
And certainly my first day I went to horology school in Manchester and the first day it was just like an awakening, really.
From Forbes • Aug. 17, 2011
Hugo had come to understand the connection between horology and magic that his father had talked about.
From "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" by Brian Selznick
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
