hourglass
UK[ˈaʊəɡlɑːs]US[ˈaʊərɡlæs]
n
A device for measuring time, consisting of two glass bulbs connected by a narrow neck, through which sand or a similar substance runs from the upper to the lower bulb, typically taking one hour.
Morpheme Breakdown
hour
glass
hour
glass
Etymology
The word 'hourglass' is a transparent English compound formed from the nouns 'hour' and 'glass'. 'Hour' traces back to Greek 'hōra' (season, time of day) via Latin, entering English through Old French. 'Glass' is a Germanic word, from Proto-Germanic 'glasam', referring to the substance. The compound literally describes a time-measuring device made of glass, with the sand typically taking an hour to pass from one bulb to the other. Its logic is perfectly descriptive, directly naming the object's function and its classic construction material.
Analysis
Structure: hour + glass
• hour: From Old English 'ōra' and Latin 'hōra', meaning a period of time. In this compound, it specifies the unit of time measured.
• glass: From Old English 'glæs', meaning the transparent, hard material. In this compound, it specifies the material from which the device is traditionally made.
Examples
The old captain turned the hourglass to mark the start of his watch.
The concept is often symbolized by an hourglass representing the passage of time.
She uses a small, decorative hourglass as a timer for her meditation sessions.