hourglass

[ ouuhr-glas, -glahs, ou-er- ]

noun

1. an instrument for measuring time, consisting of two bulbs of glass joined by a narrow passage through which a quantity of sand or mercury runs in just an hour.

adjective

1. having a notably slim or narrow waist, midsection, or joining segment:

   She has an hourglass figure.

hourglass

/ ˈaʊəˌɡlɑːs /

noun

1. a device consisting of two transparent chambers linked by a narrow channel, containing a quantity of sand that takes a specified time to trickle to one chamber from the other
2. modifier well-proportioned with a small waist

   an hourglass figure

Word History and Origins

Origin of hourglass¹

First recorded in 1505–15; hour + glass

Example Sentences

Both have hourglass markings, but the black widow’s is bright red, while the brown widow’s is orange.

From Los Angeles Times

“The hourglass sand bag complemented the sand-treated dress and was the icing on the cake, not to mention the theatrics of her ‘walk’ on the carpet.”

From Seattle Times

After a so-so January ended with the Lakers getting blown out on back-to-back nights in Houston and Atlanta, James posted an hourglass emoji on social media, a reminder that his patience was waning.

From Los Angeles Times

The party leader turned over the hourglass at a rally in Harpenden - which the party describes as a "Blue Wall battleground", as part of a campaign to challenge the Conservatives in southern England.

From BBC

When he sketches the familiar hourglass shape in the air to draw attention to a woman’s figure, he ends up looking like a chicken.

From New York Times

Related Words

• timer