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 dialect (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 dialect ; broadly : any periodic system by which time is measured2: a registering device usually with a dialect ; specifically : odometer3: time clock4: a synchronizing device (as in a computer) that produces pulses at regular intervals5: 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 cessation2: 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