water clock

noun

a device, as a clepsydra, for measuring time by the flow of water.

Origin of water clock

First recorded in 1595–1605

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for water clock

Historical Examples of water clock

The water-clock marked the third hour when I had finished my journey.
The Chinese Fairy Book
Various
We may indeed, murmured Giulia, darting a rapid look at the water-clock.
Wagner, the Wehr-Wolf
George W. M. Reynolds
They had but two measures of time—the clepsydra, or water-clock, and the sun-dial.
Our Little Lady
Emily Sarah Holt
It was the water-clock, the chronometer, and the weather guide of Athens.
Ruins of Ancient Cities (Vol. I of II)
Charles Bucke
Notice carefully that this is partly a water-clock and partly a weight-clock.
Stories of Useful Inventions
Samuel Eagle Foreman

British Dictionary definitions for water clock

water clock

water glass

noun

any of various devices for measuring time that use the escape of water as the motive force

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012