[time] n [ME, fr. OE tima; akin to ON timi time, OE tid--more at tide] (bef. 12c) 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 "~ 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 ~" b: an opportune or suitable moment "decided it was ~ to retire"--often used in the phrase about time "about ~ for a change"
4. a: an historical period: age b: a division of geologic chronology c: conditions at present or at some specified period--usu. used in pl. "~s are hard" "move with the ~s" d: the present time "issues of the ~"
5. a: lifetime b: a period of apprenticeship c: a term of military service d: a prison sentence
6: season "very hot for this ~ 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 ~ 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 ~s" b pl (1): added or accumulated quantities or instances "five ~s greater" (2): equal fractional parts of which an indicated number equal a comparatively greater quantity "seven ~s smaller" "three ~s closer" c: turn "three ~s 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 ~" "a hard ~" 12 a: the hours or days required to be occupied by one's work "make up ~" "on company ~" b: an hourly pay rate "straight ~" c: wages paid at discharge or resignation "pick up your ~ and get out" 13 a: the playing time of a game b: time-out 14: a period during which something is used or available for use "computer ~" -- at the same time : nevertheless, yet "slick and at the same time strangely unprofessional --Gerald Weaks" -- at times : at intervals: occasionally -- for the time being : for the present -- from time to time : once in a while: occasionally -- in no time : very quickly or soon -- in time 1: sufficiently early
2: eventually
3: in correct tempo "learn to play in time" -- on time 1 a: at the appointed time b: on schedule
2: on the installment plan -- time and again : frequently, repeatedly
[2]time vb timed ; tim.ing vt (14c) 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 "~ a horse"
5: to dispose (as a mechanical part) so that an action occurs at a desired instant or in a desired way ~ vi: to keep or beat time [3]time adj (ca. 1711) 1 a: of or relating to time b: recording time
2: timed to ignite or explode at a specific moment "a ~ bomb" 3 a: payable on a specified future day or a certain length of time after presentation for acceptance "a ~ draft" "~ deposits" b: based on installment payments "a ~ sale"