- the continuous passage of existence in which events pass from a state of potentiality in the future, through the present, to a state of finality in the past
- (as modifier)time travel Related adjective: temporal
physics
a quantity measuring duration, usually with reference to a periodic process such as the rotation of the earth or the vibration of electromagnetic radiation emitted from certain atoms. In classical mechanics, time is absolute in the sense that the time of an event is independent of the observer. According to the theory of relativity it depends on the observer's frame of reference. Time is considered as a fourth coordinate required, along with three spatial coordinates, to specify an event
See caesium clock, second 2 (def. 1), space-time
a specific point on this continuum expressed in terms of hours and minutes
the time is four o'clock
a system of reckoning for expressing time
Greenwich mean time
- a definite and measurable portion of this continuum
- (as modifier)time limit
- an accepted period such as a day, season, etc
- (in combination)springtime
an unspecified interval; a while
I was there for a time
(often plural)
a period or point marked by specific attributes or events
the Victorian times; time for breakfast
a sufficient interval or period
have you got time to help me?
an instance or occasion
I called you three times
an occasion or period of specified quality
have a good time; a miserable time
the duration of human existence
the heyday of human life
in her time she was a great star
a suitable period or moment
it's time I told you
the expected interval in which something is done
the flying time from New York to London was seven hours
a particularly important moment, esp childbirth or death
her time had come
(plural)
indicating a degree or amount calculated by multiplication with the number specified
ten times three is thirty; he earns four times as much as me
(often plural)
the fashions, thought, etc, of the present age (esp in the phrases ahead of one's time, behind the times)
informal
a term in jail (esp in the phrase do time)
- a customary or full period of work
- the rate of pay for this period
Also (esp US): metre
- the system of combining beats or pulses in music into successive groupings by which the rhythm of the music is established
- a specific system having a specific number of beats in each grouping or barduple time
prosody
a unit of duration used in the measurement of poetic metre; mora
against time
in an effort to complete something in a limited period
ahead of time
before the deadline
all in good time
in due course
all the time
continuously
at one time
- once; formerly
- simultaneously
at the same time
- simultaneously
- nevertheless; however
at times
sometimes
beat time
(of a conductor, etc) to indicate the tempo or pulse of a piece of music by waving a baton or a hand, tapping out the beats, etc
before one's time
prematurely
for the time being
for the moment; temporarily
from time to time
at intervals; occasionally
have no time for
to have no patience with; not tolerate
in good time
- early
- quickly
in no time
very quickly; almost instantaneously
in one's own time
- outside paid working hours
- at one's own rate
in time
- early or at the appointed time
- eventually
- music at a correct metrical or rhythmic pulse
keep time
to observe correctly the accent or rhythmic pulse of a piece of music in relation to tempo
lose time
(of a timepiece) to operate too slowly
lose no time
to do something without delay
make time
- to find an opportunity
- (often foll by with) US informal to succeed in seducing
in the nick of time
at the last possible moment; at the critical moment
on time
- at the expected or scheduled time
- US payable in instalments
pass the time of day
to exchange casual greetings (with an acquaintance)
time about Scot
alternately; turn and turn about
time and again
frequently
time off
a period when one is absent from work for a holiday, through sickness, etc
time on Australian
an additional period played at the end of a match, to compensate for time lost through injury or (in certain circumstances) to allow the teams to achieve a conclusive result
Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): extra time
time out of mind
from time immemorial
time of one's life
a memorably enjoyable time
(modifier)
operating automatically at or for a set time, for security or convenience
time lock; time switch
