time

I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English tīma; akin to Old Norse tīmi time, Old English tīd — more at tide Date: before 12th century 1. a. the measured or measurable period during which an action, process, or condition exists or continues ; duration b. a nonspatial continuum that is measured in terms of events which succeed one another from past through present to future c. leisure <

time for reading

> 2. the point or period when something occurs ; occasion 3. a. an appointed, fixed, or customary moment or hour for something to happen, begin, or end <

arrived ahead of time

> b. an opportune or suitable moment <

decided it was time to retire

> — often used in the phrase about time <

about time for a change

> 4. a. a historical period ; age b. a division of geologic chronology c. conditions at present or at some specified period — usually used in plural <

times are hard

> <

move with the times

> d. the present time <

issues of the time

> 5. a. lifetime b. a period of apprenticeship c. a term of military service d. a prison sentence 6. season <

very hot for this time of year

> 7. a. rate of speed ; tempo b. the grouping of the beats of music ; rhythm 8. a. a moment, hour, day, or year as indicated by a clock or calendar <

what time is it

> b. any of various systems (as sidereal or solar) of reckoning time 9. a. one of a series of recurring instances or repeated actions <

you've been told many times

> b. plural (1) added or accumulated quantities or instances <

five times greater

> (2) equal fractional parts of which an indicated number equal a comparatively greater quantity <

seven times smaller

> <

three times closer

> c. turn <

three times at bat

> 10. finite as contrasted with infinite duration 11. a person's experience during a specified period or on a particular occasion <

a good time

> <

a hard time

> 12. a. the hours or days required to be occupied by one's work <

make up time

> <

on company time

> b. an hourly pay rate <

straight time

> c. wages paid at discharge or resignation <

pick up your time and get out

> 13. a. the playing time of a game b. time-out 1 14. a period during which something is used or available for use <

computer time

> II. verb (timed; timing) Date: 14th century transitive verb 1. a. to arrange or set the time of ; schedule b. to regulate (a watch) to keep correct time 2. to set the tempo, speed, or duration of <

timed his leap perfectly — Neil Amdur

> 3. to cause to keep time with something 4. to determine or record the time, duration, or rate of <

time a horse

> 5. to dispose (as a mechanical part) so that an action occurs at a desired instant or in a desired way intransitive verb to keep or beat time III. adjective Date: circa 1711 1. a. of or relating to time b. recording time 2. timed to ignite or explode at a specific moment <

a time charge

> 3. a. payable on a specified future day or a certain length of time after presentation for acceptance <

a time draft

> <

time deposits

> b. based on installment payments <

a time sale

>