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Hourglass for Dummies

noun

pronunciation: 'aʊr,glæs

What does Hourglass really mean?

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Hey there! Let's talk about the word "hourglass." Do you know what it means? No worries if you don't, I'm here to help you understand it in the simplest way possible.

Imagine for a moment that you are holding a special kind of timer in your hands. This timer is called an hourglass, and it's shaped like two glass bulbs connected by a thin passage in the middle. Have you seen one before? Maybe in movies or old books?

Well, an hourglass is usually filled with tiny grains of sand. When you flip it over, the sand starts to flow slowly from the top to the bottom through that thin passage I mentioned earlier. Now, here's where it gets interesting!

The word "hourglass" can mean two different things:

1. An actual object: As I mentioned before, an hourglass is a nifty little time-telling device. People have been using it for centuries to measure short periods, like an hour. So, when you see or hear the word "hourglass," it might refer to a physical object used to measure time.

Now, think about this: Just like an hourglass measures time, we also use the word "hourglass" to describe something very special about the shape of some objects. Ever seen someone with a narrow waist and curvy hips? That's right, an hourglass figure! It's when someone's body shape looks like the top and bottom bulbs of an hourglass. Cool, right?

2. A descriptive term: Now, the word "hourglass" can also be used to describe things that have a similar shape or structure. For example, you might hear someone say that a beautiful vase has an hourglass shape. Or even a nice pair of sunglasses could be described as having hourglass frames. By using the word "hourglass" in these cases, people are simply talking about the shape or appearance of those objects.

So, in a nutshell, "hourglass" can refer to a real device used to measure time, or it can describe the shape of something.

Remember, understanding new words can take time and patience. But with a little practice, you'll certainly nail it! Keep asking questions and exploring the world around you. And if you ever come across the word "hourglass" again, you'll know exactly what it means.

Stay curious and keep learning!


Revised and Fact checked by Emma Williams on 2023-10-29 10:29:47

Hourglass In a sentece

Learn how to use Hourglass inside a sentece

  • An hourglass is a special kind of clock that measures time. It has two glass sections that are shaped like upside-down cones and connected by a narrow part in the middle. When you turn it over, the sand inside flows from the top section to the bottom section, taking about an hour to completely move through.
  • In some games, such as chess, players use an hourglass to keep track of their time. When one player makes a move, they turn the hourglass over, and their opponent must make their move before the sand runs out to avoid losing.
  • On the beach, you might come across an hourglass-shaped seashell called the hourglass cockle. It gets its name because it looks like two cones connected by a thin part, just like an hourglass.
  • Hourglass figures are often used to describe someone's body shape. It means that a person's waist is narrower compared to their bust and hips, creating an hourglass-like silhouette.
  • When cooking, you can use an hourglass-shaped kitchen timer to set a specific amount of time for your dish to cook. You simply turn the hourglass over, and when all the sand has fallen to the bottom, your food should be ready!

Hourglass Hypernyms

Words that are more generic than the original word.