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Glite Dictionary
clepsydra

clepsydra

9.9
An old clock that measures time by the flow of water
  • noun
  • /ˈklɛp.sɪ.drə/
  • Archaic
translation icon : clepsidra
  • It made no difference what artificial timekeepers were around: mechanical clocks, clepsydra, candles, talking parrots; the fast was timed by the clock God had.

Examples

  • In ancient Greece, people used a clepsydra to measure time while they debated in the agora.

  • The clepsydra was an important invention, allowing civilizations to track time using the steady flow of water.

  • In a museum, I've seen a clepsydra bowl that had multiple sets of perforations (one set for each month, IIRC) so as to be able to accurately indicate the hours regardless of their absolute length.

    Blog text (11)

  • At the museum, I learned that the clepsydra not only told time but also showed how advanced ancient technology was.

Synonyms

water clock
vsclepsydra
  • Specialized
1 8.2

A device that measures time using the flow of water

has the same function but is the older technical name
water glass
vsclepsydra
  • Archaic
9.9

A vessel that measures time by letting water flow out slowly

is the general term for the device rather than focusing on vessel form
horologe
vsclepsydra
  • Archaic
9.9

A thing that shows the time, like a clock or watch

refers specifically to an ancient water-based timing device rather than any time instrument

Surface Forms

clepsydra singular
clepsydras plural

Etymology

Clepsydra comes from Greek parts kleptein 'to steal' and hydor 'water', so it literally means 'water thief'. A helpful image is that the device measures time by letting water be 'stolen' away, which is why a clepsydra is a water clock.