clock1

[klok] /klɒk/
noun
1.
an instrument for measuring and recording time, especially by mechanical means, usually with hands or changing numbers to indicate the hour and minute: not designed to be worn or carried about.
2.
time clock.
3.
a meter or other device, as a speedometer or taximeter, for measuring and recording speed, distance covered, or other quantitative functioning.
4.
biological clock.
5.
(initial capital letter) Astronomy. the constellation Horologium.
6.
Computers. the circuit in a digital computer that provides a common reference train of electronic pulses for all other circuits.
verb (used with object)
7.
to time, test, or determine by means of a clock or watch:
The racehorse was clocked at two minutes thirty seconds.
8.
Slang. to strike sharply or heavily:
Somebody clocked him on the face.
Verb phrases
9.
clock in, to begin work, especially by punching a time clock:
She clocked in at 9 on the dot.
10.
clock out, to end work, especially by punching a time clock:
He clocked out early yesterday.
Idioms
11.
around the clock,
  1. during all 24 hours; ceaselessly.
  2. without stopping for rest; tirelessly:
    working around the clock to stem the epidemic.
12.
clean (someone's) clock, to defeat; vanquish.
13.
kill the clock, Sports. to use up as much game time as possible when one is winning, as to protect a lead in basketball, ice hockey, or football.
Also, run out the clock.
14.
stop the clock, to postpone an official or legal deadline by ceasing to count the hours that elapse, as when a new union contract must be agreed upon before an old contract runs out.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English clok(ke) < Middle Dutch clocke bell, clock; akin to Old English clucge, Old High German glocka (German Glocke), Old Irish clocc bell; cf. cloak
British Dictionary definitions for clock in

clock on

verb
1.
(intransitive, adverb) to arrive at work, esp when it involves registering the time of arrival on a card

clock1

/klɒk/
noun
1.
a timepiece, usually free-standing, hanging, or built into a tower, having mechanically or electrically driven pointers that move constantly over a dial showing the numbers of the hours Compare digital clock, watch (sense 7)
2.
any clocklike device for recording or measuring, such as a taximeter or pressure gauge
3.
the downy head of a dandelion that has gone to seed
4.
an electrical circuit that generates pulses at a predetermined rate
5.
(computing) an electronic pulse generator that transmits streams of regular pulses to which various parts of the computer and its operations are synchronized
6.
short for time clock
7.
around the clock, round the clock, all day and all night
8.
the clock, an informal word for speedometer, mileometer
9.
(Brit) a slang word for face
10.
against the clock
  1. under pressure, as to meet a deadline
  2. (in certain sports, such as show jumping) timed by a stop clock: the last round will be against the clock
11.
put the clock back, to regress
verb
12.
(transitive) (Brit & Austral, NZ, slang) to strike, esp on the face or head
13.
(transitive) (Brit, slang) to see or notice
14.
(transitive) to record time as with a stopwatch, esp in the calculation of speed
15.
(electronics) to feed a clock pulse to (a digital device) in order to cause it to switch to a new state
See also atomic clock, biological clock, clock off, clock on, clock up
Derived Forms
clocker, noun
clocklike, adjective
Word Origin
C14: from Middle Dutch clocke clock, from Medieval Latin clocca bell, ultimately of Celtic origin

clock2

/klɒk/
noun
1.
an ornamental design either woven in or embroidered on the side of a stocking
Word Origin
C16: from Middle Dutch clocke, from Medieval Latin clocca bell
Word Origin and History for clock in

clock

n.

late 14c., clokke, originally "clock with bells," probably from Middle Dutch clocke (Dutch klok) "a clock," from Old North French cloque (Old French cloke, Modern French cloche), from Medieval Latin (7c.) clocca "bell," probably from Celtic (cf. Old Irish clocc, Welsh cloch, Manx clagg "a bell") and spread by Irish missionaries (unless the Celtic words are from Latin); ultimately of imitative origin.

Replaced Old English dægmæl, from dæg "day" + mæl "measure, mark" (see meal (n.1)). The Latin word was horologium; the Greeks used a water-clock (klepsydra, literally "water thief"). Image of put (or set) the clock back "return to an earlier state or system" is from 1862. Round-the-clock (adj.) is from 1943, originally in reference to bomber air raids.

"ornament pattern on a stocking," 1520s, probably identical with clock (n.1) in its older sense and meaning "bell-shaped ornament."

v.

"to time by the clock," 1883, from clock (n.1). The slang sense of "hit, sock" is 1941, originally Australian, probably from earlier slang clock (n.) "face" (1923). Related: Clocked; clocking.

Slang definitions & phrases for clock in

clock in

verb phrase

To come or go at a certain recorded time, esp to or from a job where a time clock is used; PUNCH IN (or OUT) (1920s+)


clock

verb
  1. To hit; sock: who clocked me when I wasn't looking/ She clocked him with the portable telephone (1920s+ Australian)
  2. To time, esp with a stopwatch: They clocked her at 6:05:03.65 (1880s+)
  3. To achieve a specified time: I clocked a two-minute lap yesterday (1892+)
  4. To get; amass: Malcolm Forbes is clockin' megadollars (1980s+ Teenagers)
  5. To watch; keep one's eye on: He is always clockin' girls (1980s+ Teenagers)
  6. To waste one's time; detain one: Why're you clockin' me? I got people to see (1980s+ Teenagers)
Related Terms

clean someone's clock

[first sense probably related to clock, ''face'']


Idioms and Phrases with clock in

clock in

Begin work, as in She clocked in late again. Also, clock out, end work, as in Please wait for me; I forgot to clock out. The allusion here is to punching a time clock, a device that punches the time on a card to record when an employee arrives and departs. [ Late 1800s ]

clock

also see: