time (taɪm
)
Definitions
noun
- the continuous passage of existence in which events pass from a state of potentiality in the future, through the present, to a state of finality in the past
- ((as modifier) ⇒
time travel
related adjective temporal
- physics a quantity measuring duration, usually with reference to a periodic process such as the rotation of the earth or the vibration of electromagnetic radiation emitted from certain atoms. In classical mechanics, time is absolute in the sense that the time of an event is independent of the observer. According to the theory of relativity it depends on the observer's frame of reference. Time is considered as a fourth coordinate required, along with three spatial coordinates, to specify an event See caesium clock
, second2 (sense 1)
, space-time
- a specific point on this continuum expressed in terms of hours and minutes ⇒
the time is four o'clock
- a system of reckoning for expressing time ⇒
Greenwich mean time
- a definite and measurable portion of this continuum
- ((as modifier) ⇒
time limit
- an accepted period such as a day, season, etc
- ((in combination) ⇒
springtime
- an unspecified interval; a while ⇒
I was there for a time
- (often plural) a period or point marked by specific attributes or events ⇒
the Victorian times
time for breakfast
- a sufficient interval or period ⇒
have you got time to help me?
- an instance or occasion ⇒
I called you three times
- an occasion or period of specified quality ⇒
have a good time
a miserable time
- the duration of human existence
- the heyday of human life ⇒
in her time she was a great star
- a suitable period or moment ⇒
it's time I told you
- the expected interval in which something is done ⇒
the flying time from New York to London was seven hours
- a particularly important moment, esp childbirth or death ⇒
her time had come
- (plural) indicating a degree or amount calculated by multiplication with the number specified ⇒
ten times three is thirty
he earns four times as much as me
- (often plural) the fashions, thought, etc, of the present age (esp in the phrases ahead of one's time, behind the times)
- British (in bars, pubs, etc) short for closing time
- informal a term in jail (esp in the phrase do time)
- a customary or full period of work
- the rate of pay for this period
- metre
- the system of combining beats or pulses in music into successive groupings by which the rhythm of the music is established
- a specific system having a specific number of beats in each grouping or bar ⇒
duple time
- music short for time value
- prosody a unit of duration used in the measurement of poetic metre; mora
- See against time
- See ahead of time
- See all in good time
- See all the time
- See at one time
- See at the same time
- See at times
- See beat time
- See before one's time
- See for the time being
- See from time to time
- See gain time
- See have no time for
- See in good time
- See in no time
- See in one's own time
- See in time
- See keep time
- See lose time
- See lose no time
- See make time
- See mark1 (sense 35)
- See in the nick of time
- See on time
- See pass the time of day
- See time about
- See time and again
- See time off
- See time on
- See time out of mind
- See time of one's life
- (modifier) operating automatically at or for a set time, for security or convenience ⇒
time lock
time switch
verb (tr)
- to ascertain or calculate the duration or speed of
- to set a time for
- to adjust to keep accurate time
- to pick a suitable time for
- sport to control the execution or speed of (an action, esp a shot or stroke) so that it has its full effect at the right moment
exclamation
- the word called out by a publican signalling that it is closing time
Word Origin
Old English tīma; related to Old English tīd time, Old Norse tīmi, Alemannic zīme; see tideOld English related to Old English time, Old Norse Alemannic see 1
Synonyms
View thesaurus entry
=
period,
while,
term,
season,
space,
stretch,
spell,
phase,
interval,
span,
period of time
stint,
duration,
length of time,
time frame,
timeline,
=
age,
days,
era,
year,
date,
generation,
duration,
epoch,
chronology,
aeon,
=
schedule,
set,
plan,
book,
programme,
set up,
fix,
arrange,
line up,
organize,
timetable,
slate,
fix up,
prearrange,
