CLEPSYDRAS Meaning and
Definition
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Clepsydras, also known as water clocks, were ancient time-measuring devices that utilized the flow of water to indicate the passage of time. The term "clepsydras" is derived from the Greek words "kleptein," meaning 'to steal,' and "hydor," meaning 'water.' Therefore, clepsydras can be loosely translated as 'water thieves.'
Clepsydras typically consisted of a container or vessel that held water, which would gradually drain through a small hole or tube. As the water trickled out, it would either fill a lower container or be marked on a graduated scale, allowing the user to estimate the passage of time. These devices were often equipped with floating objects, such as small floats or vessels, which provided visual cues about the time elapsed.
Clepsydras were widely used in various ancient civilizations, including Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Their invention is attributed to the ancient Greeks around the 3rd century BCE, although earlier simple forms of water clocks may have existed even before that.
Although clepsydras were the precursors to modern mechanical clocks, they were not as accurate due to factors such as evaporation and temperature changes affecting the flow of water. Nonetheless, they served essential functions in regulating time in ancient societies, such as timing religious ceremonies, measuring work shifts, and indicating the beginning and end of legal trials.
Today, clepsydras are more commonly seen as historical artifacts rather than functional timekeeping devices. Their significance lies in their representation of the early human quest to measure and comprehend time.
Common Misspellings for CLEPSYDRAS
- clepsydra
- clepsidra
- xlepsydras
- vlepsydras
- flepsydras
- dlepsydras
- ckepsydras
- cpepsydras
- coepsydras
- clwpsydras
- clspsydras
- cldpsydras
- clrpsydras
- cl4psydras
- cl3psydras
- cleosydras
- clelsydras
- cle-sydras
- cle0sydras
- clepaydras
Etymology of CLEPSYDRAS
The word "clepsydras" comes from the combination of two Greek words. The first part, "kleptein" (κλέπτειν), means "to steal", and the second part, "hydor" (ὕδωρ), means "water". In ancient times, a clepsydra referred to a water clock used to measure time by the regulated flow of water. The word "clepsydra" is derived from the idea that the water "steals" time as it flows and is measured.
