clepsydra
Example Sentences
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Empedocles performed his experiment with a household implement people had used for centuries, the so-called clepsydra or “water thief,” which was used as a kitchen ladle.
From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan
Either slow like the dripping of the remnants of water in a clepsydra.
From Hung Lou Meng, Book II Or, the Dream of the Red Chamber, a Chinese Novel in Two Books by H. Bencraft Joly
Checking the hours by the clepsydra, he entered the name of every human being passing, up or down that stair, even the name of the manager every time he came in or went out.
From Andivius Hedulio Adventures of a Roman Nobleman in the Days of the Empire by Edward Lucas White
The water-clock, or clepsydra, has been known to the Chinese for centuries.
From China and the Chinese by Herbert Allen Giles
However, mechanical clocks fitted with this escapement offer indisputable advantages over the ancient clepsydra; in spite of their imperfections they rendered important services, especially after the striking movement had been added.
Smaller clepsydrae of glass were very early used in place of the sun-dial, to mark the hours.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 4 "Cincinnatus" to "Cleruchy" by Various
It seems probable that some of these water clocks could have been simple drip clepsydras, with perhaps a striking arrangement added.
From On the Origin of Clockwork, Perpetual Motion Devices, and the Compass by Derek J. de Solla (Derek John de Solla) Price
The Arabian astronomers also devoted themselves to the construction and perfection of astronomical instruments, to the measurement of time by clocks of various kinds, by clepsydras and sun-dials.
From History of the Conflict Between Religion and Science by John William Draper
During his residence at Toledo he constructed two clepsydras, the waters of which decreased and increased according to the waning and growing of the moon, and these two basins were destroyed only in A.D.
From Arabic Authors A Manual of Arabian History and Literature by F. F. Arbuthnot
The flight of time in New England houses was marked without doors by sun-dials; within, by noon-marks, hour-glasses, and rarely by clepsydras, or water-clocks.
From Customs and Fashions in Old New England by Alice Morse Earle
"As near accuracy," I said, "as any clepsydras ever made."
From Andivius Hedulio Adventures of a Roman Nobleman in the Days of the Empire by Edward Lucas White
