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Glite Dictionary
electric clock

electric clock

2.5
A clock that runs on electricity
  • noun
  • /ɪˈlɛktrɪk klɒk/
translation icon : reloj eléctrico
  • A four-burner Norge range, complete with a built-in electric clock and timer.

Examples

  • And yet every electric clock in this building seems to show the correct time.

    Patrick (1978)

  • The hands of the electric clock on the table fly around the clock's face, making a barely audible whir.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • "Rudolph!" She batted the magazine aside, then swung her eyes toward the cluttered nightstand, focusing on the electric clock beside her water glass from McDonald's.

    Fiction book (1997)

  • The hands of the electric clock on the table fly around the clock's face, making a barely audible whir.

  • The little electric clock on its shelf against the bright yellow wall buzzed softly.

  • And yet every electric clock in this building seems to show the correct time.

Synonyms

clock
vselectric clock
∞ 1.0

A device that shows the time of day, usually on a dial or screen

uses electrical power and a small motor to move hands or display time

Surface Forms

electric clock singular
electric clocks plural

Morphology

electric + clock

The meaning 'a clock powered by electricity' is directly and compositionally derived from combining 'electric' (relating to electrical power) with 'clock' (a timekeeping device). This adjective + noun pattern is cross-linguistically common and follows straightforward English compounding rules, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily understand the MWE.

Etymology

The compound electric clock comes from the simple picture of a clock that runs on electric power instead of being wound by hand. So, the name points to 'a clock powered by electricity'.