sweep hand

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.

sweep hand

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sweep hand¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

If something accidentally drops on the floor, for instance, the best way to find it is to systematically sweep hands in a wide circle to make sure no part of the surface is left unexplored.

From BBC

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

Inside the shell of the Cosmos XII, Lance, sitting flat on his back against gravity, looked up at the sweep hands on the control deck clocks and hurried through his pre-jump check list.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg