banjo clock

noun

1. a clock of the early 19th century in the U.S., having a drumlike case for the dial mounted on a narrow, tapering body, with a boxlike bottom containing the pendulum and its weight.

Word History and Origins

Origin of banjo clock¹

An Americanism dating back to 1795–1805

Example Sentences

A banjo clock that would never again keep time but had a tiny cupboard where I kept the other trinkets I’d found.

From Literature

“Most people actually thought we were landmarked, and we weren’t going to disabuse them of the idea,” Ms. Danischewski said, sitting at her dining room table as a reproduction banjo clock ticked over the original orange-marble fireplace.

From New York Times

Dear Sirs: I purchased a banjo clock at $13.89 from you on Tuesday.

From Project Gutenberg

So, you see, when a banjo clock comes your way there are various methods by which its genuineness can be tested.

From Project Gutenberg

People are liable to associate him only with the banjo clock that bears his name; but in reality he made clocks of every imaginable description—long-case clocks, tower clocks, gallery clocks, shelf clocks.

From Project Gutenberg