o'clock
[ uh-klok ]
/ əˈklɒk /
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adverb
of, by, or according to the clock (used in specifying the hour of the day): It is now 4 o'clock.
according to a method for indicating relative position whereby a plane in space is considered to be numbered as a clock's face, with 12 o'clock considered as directly ahead in horizontal position or straight up in vertical position.
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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British Dictionary definitions for o'clock
o'clock
/ (əˈklɒk) /
adverb
used after a number from one to twelve to indicate the hour of the day or night
used after a number to indicate direction or position relative to the observer, twelve o'clock being directly ahead or overhead and other positions being obtained by comparisons with a clock face
Word Origin for o'clock
C18: abbreviation for of the clock
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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