time

[[t]taɪm[/t]]

n. adj. v. timed, tim•ing

1) the system of those sequential relations that any event has to any other, as past, present, or future; indefinite and continuous duration regarded as that in which events succeed one another

2) duration regarded as an aspect of the present life as distinct from the life to come or from eternity; finite duration

3) hor (sometimes cap.) a system or method of measuring or reckoning the passage of time:

Greenwich Time[/ex]

4) a limited period or interval, as between two events:

a long time[/ex]

5) a particular period:

Youth is the best time of life[/ex]

6) Often, times

a) a period in history, or one contemporaneous with a notable person:

prehistoric times; in Lincoln's time[/ex]

b) the period or era now or previously present:

a sign of the times[/ex]

c) a period with reference to its conditions:

hard times[/ex]

7) the end of a prescribed or allotted period, as of one's life or a pregnancy

8) a period experienced in a particular way:

Have a good time[/ex]

9) a period of work of an employee, or the pay for it

10) inf Informal. a term of enforced duty or imprisonment

11) the period necessary for or occupied by something:

The bus takes too much time, so I'll take a plane[/ex]

12) leisure or spare time:

I hope to take some time in August[/ex]

13) a definite point in time, as indicated by a clock:

What time is it?[/ex]

14) a particular period in a day, year, etc.:

breakfast time[/ex]

15) an appointed or proper instant or period:

There is a time for everything[/ex]

16) the particular point in time when an event is scheduled to take place:

Curtain time is at 8[/ex]

17) an indefinite period extending into the future:

Time will tell[/ex]

18) each occasion of a recurring action or event:

to do something five times[/ex]

19) times, the number of instances a quantity or factor are taken together:

Two goes into six three times; five times faster[/ex]

20) lit. one of the three dramatic unities

Compare unity 8)

21) pro a unit or a group of units in the measurement of poetic meter

22) mad mus

a) tempo; relative rapidity of movement

b) meter; rhythm

c) the metrical duration of a note or rest

d) proper or characteristic rhythm or tempo

e) the general movement of a particular kind of musical composition with reference to it rhythm, metrical structure, and tempo:

waltz time[/ex]

23) mil rate of marching, calculated on the number of paces taken per minute:

double time[/ex]

24) of or pertaining to the passage of time

25) (of an explosive device) containing a clock so that it will detonate at the desired moment:

a time bomb[/ex]

26) of an installment plan:

time payments[/ex]

27) to measure or record the speed, duration, or rate of:

to time a race[/ex]

28) to fix the duration of:

She timed the test at 15 minutes[/ex]

29) hor to fix the interval between (actions, events, etc.):

They timed their strokes at six per minute[/ex]

30) hor to regulate (a train, clock, etc.) as to time

31) to choose the moment or occasion for; schedule:

He timed the attack perfectly[/ex]

32) to keep time; sound or move in unison

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- against time ahead of time at one time at the same time at times behind the times for the time being from time to time gain time in good time in no time in time keep time kill time make time make time with many a time mark time on one's own time on time take one's time the time of one's life time after time time and (time) again

Etymology: bef. 900; OE tīma, c. ON tīmi; akin to tide I