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time (tīm) Share: Tweet n. 1. a. A nonspatial continuum in which events occur in apparently irreversible succession from the past through the present to the future. b. An interval separating two points on this continuum; a duration: a long time since the last war; passed the time reading. c. A number, as of years, days, or minutes, representing such an interval: ran the course in a time just under four minutes. d. A similar number representing a specific point on this continuum, reckoned in hours and minutes: checked her watch and recorded the time, 6:17 AM. e. A system by which such intervals are measured or such numbers are reckoned: solar time. 2. a. often times An interval, especially a span of years, marked by similar events, conditions, or phenomena; an era: hard times; a time of troubles. b. times The present with respect to prevailing conditions and trends: You must change with the times. 3. A suitable or opportune moment or season: a time for taking stock of one's life. 4. a. Periods or a period designated for a given activity: harvest time; time for bed. b. Periods or a period necessary or available for a given activity: I have no time for golf. c. A period at one's disposal: Do you have time for a chat? 5. An appointed or fated moment, especially of death or giving birth: He died before his time. Her time is near. 6. a. One of several instances: knocked three times; addressed Congress for the last time before retirement. b. times Used to indicate the number of instances by which something is multiplied or divided: This tree is three times taller than that one. My library is many times smaller than hers. 7. a. One's lifetime. b. One's period of greatest activity or engagement. c. A person's experience during a specific period or on a certain occasion: had a good time at the party. 8. a. A period of military service. b. A period of apprenticeship. c. Informal A prison sentence. 9. a. The customary period of work: hired for full time. b. The period spent working. c. The hourly pay rate: earned double time on Sundays. 10. The period during which a radio or television program or commercial is broadcast: "There's television time to buy" (Brad Goldstein). 11. The rate of speed of a measured activity: marching in double time. 12. Music a. The meter of a musical pattern: three-quarter time. b. The rate of speed at which a piece of music is played; the tempo. 13. Chiefly British The hour at which a pub closes. 14. Sports A time-out. adj. 1. Of, relating to, or measuring time. 2. Constructed so as to operate at a particular moment: a time release. 3. Payable on a future date or dates. 4. Of or relating to installment buying: time payments. tr.v. timed, tim·ing, times 1. To set the time for (an event or occasion). 2. To adjust to keep accurate time. 3. To adjust so that a force is applied or an action occurs at the desired time: timed his swing so as to hit the ball squarely. 4. To record the speed or duration of: time a runner. 5. To set or maintain the tempo, speed, or duration of: time a manufacturing process. 6. To speculate based on the anticipated short-term performance of (a market): time the stock market. Phrasal Verb: time out Computers To be canceled if an expected input is not received after a specified time. Used of processes. Idioms: against time With a quickly approaching time limit: worked against time to deliver the manuscript before the deadline. any time Used to acknowledge an expression of gratitude. at one time 1. Simultaneously. 2. At a period or moment in the past. at the same time However; nonetheless. at times On occasion; sometimes. behind the times Out-of-date; old-fashioned. for the time being Temporarily. from time to time Once in a while; at intervals. high time The appropriate or urgent time: It's high time that you started working. in good time 1. In a reasonable length of time. 2. When or before due. 3. Quickly. in no time Almost instantly; immediately. in time 1. Before a time limit expires. 2. Within an indefinite time; eventually: In time they came to accept the harsh facts. 3. Music a. In the proper tempo. b. Played with a meter. on time 1. According to schedule; punctual or punctually. 2. By paying in installments. time after time Again and again; repeatedly. time and again Again and again; repeatedly. time of (one's) life A highly pleasurable experience: We had the time of our lives at the beach. time on (one's) hands An interval with nothing to do. time was There was once a time: "Time was when [urban gangs] were part of a ... subculture that inner-city adolescence outgrew" (George F. Will). [Middle English, from Old English tīma; see dā- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

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# Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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