sweep hand

American  

noun

Horology.

1. a hand, usually a second hand, centrally mounted with the minute and hour hands of a timepiece and reaching to the edge of the dial.

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sweep hand British  

noun

1. horology a long hand that registers seconds or fractions of seconds on the perimeter of the dial

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Etymology

Origin of sweep hand

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

This also said six o’clock, but the sweep hand did not move.

From The Six Fingers of Time by Lafferty, R. A.

The sweep hand only moved when he looked at it, apparently.

From Hail to the Chief by Schoenherr, John

He watched the sweep hand on the chronometer.

From Treachery in Outer Space by Glanzman, Louis

The sweep hand on the chronometer made its rounds several times before he answered.

From Unwise Child by Garrett, Randall

This clock is a regulator with a seconds' pendulum and sweep hand on an enameled dial.

From The Borghesi Astronomical Clock in the Museum of History and Technology Contributions from the Museum of History and Technology, Paper 35, the Smithsonian Institution United States National Museum Bulletin 240 by Bedini, Silvio A.