~ 1
■ noun
1》 an instrument that measures and indicates the time by means of a dial or a digital display.
↘ informal a measuring device resembling a ~, such as a speedometer.
2》 (also dandelion ~ ) Brit. the downy spherical seed head of a dandelion. [from the child's game of blowing away the seeds to find out what time it is.]
3》 Brit. informal a person's face.
■ verb
1》 attain or register (a specified time, distance, or speed).
↘achieve (a victory): he ~ed up his first win of the year.
2》 ( ~ in/out or Brit. on/off ) register one's arrival at or departure from work by means of an automatic recording ~.
3》 Brit. informal notice or watch.
4》 informal, chiefly Brit. hit on the head.
5》 Brit. informal illegally wind back the milometer of (a car).
Phrases
round (or around ) the ~ all day and all night.
turn (or put ) back the ~ return to the past or to a previous way of doing things.
Derivatives
~er noun
Origin
ME: from Mid. Low Ger. and MDu. klocke , based on med. L. clocca 'bell'.
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~ 2
■ noun an ornamental pattern woven or embroidered on the side of a stocking or sock near the ankle.
Origin
C16: of unknown origin.