hourglass

[ouuhr-glas, -glahs, ou-er-]

noun

1. an instrument for measuring time, consisting of two bulbs of glass joined by a narrow passage through which a quantity of sand or mercury runs in just an hour.

adjective

1. having a notably slim or narrow waist, midsection, or joining segment.

   She has an hourglass figure.

hourglass

/ ˈaʊəˌɡlɑːs /

noun

1. a device consisting of two transparent chambers linked by a narrow channel, containing a quantity of sand that takes a specified time to trickle to one chamber from the other

2. (modifier) well-proportioned with a small waist

   an hourglass figure

Word History and Origins

Origin of hourglass¹

First recorded in 1505–15; hour + glass

Related Words

• timer