Definition

A device used to measure time, consisting of two glass bulbs connected by a narrow neck, through which sand flows from the upper bulb to the lower one.

Example

The teacher used a sandglass to time the students during the exam.

Conversation

Have you ever used a sandglass to time something?

No, I haven’t! How does it work?

It's pretty simple; you just flip it over and watch the sand fall.

That sounds cool! I should try using one for my cooking.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Sandglass → It is formed from "sand" (from Old English *sand*, meaning granular material) and "glass" (from Old English *glæs*, meaning a transparent substance). The word "sandglass" refers to a device made of glass that contains sand, used to measure time.

Memory Tip

Think of the granular material 'sand' contained within a 'glass' structure — that's how a sandglass measures time.

Visually Confused Words