Main Entry: ¹clock

Pronunciation: \ˈkläk\

Function: noun

Usage: often attributive

Etymology: Middle English clok, from Middle Dutch clocke bell, clock, from Old French or Medieval Latin; Old French dial. (Picard) cloque bell, from Medieval Latin clocca, of Celtic origin; akin to Middle Irish clocc bell

Date: 14th century

1 : a device other than a watch for indicating or measuring time commonly by means of hands moving on a dial; broadly : any periodic system by which time is measured
2 : a registering device usually with a dial; specifically : odometer
3 : time clock
4 : a synchronizing device (as in a computer) that produces pulses at regular intervals
5 : biological clock

— against the clock 1 : with or within a time constraint <working against the clock>
2 : with clocked speed rather than the order of finish as the criterion for placement <trial races against the clock>

— around the clock also round the clock 1 : continuously for 24 hours : day and night without cessation
2 : without relaxation and heedless of time

— kill the clock or run out the clock : to use up as much as possible of the playing time remaining in a game (as football) while retaining possession of the ball or puck especially to protect a lead