time

time [tīm]

n.

[ME < OE tima, prob. < IE * dī-men < base * dā(i)-, to part, divide up > TIDE¹]

I duration; continuance

1. indefinite, unlimited duration in which things are considered as happening in the past, present, or future; every moment there has ever been or ever will be

a) the entire period of existence of the known universe; finite duration, as distinguished from infinity

b) the entire period of existence of the world or of humanity; earthly duration, as distinguished from eternity

c) [T-] FATHER TIME

2. a system of measuring duration [solar time, standard time]

II a period or interval

1. the period between two events or during which something exists, happens, or acts; measured or measurable interval

2. [often pl.] any period in the history of man or of the universe, often specif. with reference to a characteristic social structure, set of customs, famous person living then, etc. [prehistoric times, medieval times, geologic time, Lincoln's time]

a) a period characterized by a prevailing condition or specific experience [a time of peace, have a good time]

b) [usually pl.] the prevailing conditions of a particular period [the times were difficult]

3. a period of duration set or thought of as set; specif.,

a) a period of existence; lifetime [his time is almost over]

b) a term of apprenticeship

c) a term of imprisonment

d) a term of military service

☆ e) Obs. a period of indenture

4. a period or periods necessary, sufficient, or available for something [no time for play]

5. the specific, usual, or allotted period during which something is done [the runner's time was 1.47 minutes; baking time, 20 minutes]

a) the period regularly worked or to be worked by an employee

b) the hourly rate of pay for the regular working hours

6. rate of speed in marching, driving, working, etc. [quick time, double time]

7. Drama one of the three unities: see the phrase THE (THREE) UNITIES at UNITY

8. Music

a) the grouping of rhythmic beats into measures of equal length

b) the characteristic rhythm of a piece of music in terms of this grouping, indicated by the time signature

c) the rate of speed at which a composition or passage is played; tempo

d) loosely the rhythm and tempo characteristic of a kind of composition [waltz time, march time]

e) the duration of a note or rest

9. Prosody a unit of quantitative meter; esp., a mora, or short syllable

☆ 10. Sports TIMEOUT

III a point in duration; moment; instant; occasion

1. a precise instant, second, minute, hour, day, week, month, or year, determined by clock or calendar

2. the point at which something has happened, is happening, or will happen; occasion [game time is two o'clock]

3. the usual, natural, traditional, or appointed moment for something to happen, begin, or end [time to get up ]; specif.,

a) the moment of death [his time is close at hand]

b) the end of a period of pregnancy; moment of giving birth [her time had come ]

☆ c) one's turn at something [a time at bat]

4. the suitable, proper, favorable, or convenient moment [now is the time to act]

5. any one of a series of moments at which the same or nearly the same thing recurs; repeated occasion [told for the fifth time, time and time again]

interj.

Sports used to signify that a period of play or activity has ended or that play is temporarily suspended

vt.

timed, timing

1. to arrange or set the time of so as to be acceptable, suitable, opportune, etc. [to time an invasion]

2. to adjust, set, play, etc. so as to coincide in time with something else [to time one's watch with another's]

3. to regulate (a mechanism) for a given speed or length of operation

4. to set the duration of (a syllable or musical note) as a unit of rhythm

5. to calculate or record the pace, speed, finishing time, etc. of; clock [to time a runner]

vi.

Rare to move in time; keep time

adj.

1. having to do with time

2. set or regulated so as to explode, open, etc. at a given time [a time bomb]

3. payable later or on a specified future date [a time loan ]

☆ 4. designating or of any of a series of payments made or to be made over a period of time [a time payment]

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abreast of the times

1. up-to-date, as in ideas, fashions, etc.; modern

2. informed about current matters

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against time

in an effort to finish in a given time

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☆ ahead of time

sooner than due; early

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at one time

1. simultaneously

2. formerly

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at the same time

1. simultaneously; in the same period

2. nonetheless; however

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at times

occasionally; sometimes

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behind the times

out-of-date; old-fashioned

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behind time

late

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between times

at intervals, as between other events or actions

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do time

Informal to serve a prison term

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for the time being

for the present; temporarily

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from time to time

at intervals; now and then

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gain time

1. to go too fast: said of a timepiece

2. to prolong a situation until a desired occurrence can take place

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in good time

1. at the proper time

2. in a creditably short time; quickly

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in no time

almost instantly; very quickly

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in time

1. in the course of time; eventually

2. before it is too late

3. keeping the set rhythm, tempo, pace, etc.

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lose time

1. to go too slow: said of a timepiece

2. to let time go by without advancing one's objective

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make time

1. to compensate for lost time by going faster: said as of a train

☆ 2. to travel, work, etc. at a specified, especially fast, rate of speed [we made (good) time between Boston and Albany]

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☆ make time with

Slang to succeed in attracting or having an affair with (a person)

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many a time

often; frequently

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☆ on one's own time

during time for which one is not paid; during other than working hours

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on time

☆ 1. at the appointed time; punctual or punctually

☆ 2. to be paid for in installments over a period of time

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out of time

1. not at the usual time; unseasonable

2. not keeping the set rhythm, tempo, pace, etc.

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pass the time of day

to exchange a few words of greeting, etc.

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time after time

again and again; continually: also time and again

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time of life

age (of a person)

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☆ time of one's life

Informal an experience of great pleasure for one

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time on one's hands

an interval with nothing to do

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time out of mind

TIME IMMEMORIAL (sense 1)

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time was

there was a time