Skip to content

The word for today is…

clepsydra (noun) -

: water clock

Source : Merriam-Webster

Etymology : In ancient times the sun was used to measure time during the day, but sundials weren't much help after dark, so peoples around the world invented clocks that used dripping water to mark the hours. In one kind of water clock, possibly invented by the Chaldeans, a vessel was filled with water that was allowed to escape through a hole. The vessel's inside was marked with graduated lines, and the time was read by measuring the level of the remaining water. The ancient Greeks called their water clocks "klepsydra" ("water thief"), which comes from "kleptein" ("to steal") and "hydōr" ("water"). English speakers stole "clepsydra" from the Greeks in the 16th century, but actual water clocks have become increasingly rare.

If you enjoyed this Good Oil word of the day please consider sharing it with your friends and, especially, your children.

Latest

Face of the Day

Face of the Day

Speaking from a rooftop bar in central Auckland where his candidacy for the November 7 election was revealed on Tuesday, Henry responded to the ‘why ACT’ question.

Members Public
The Good Oil Word of the Day

The Good Oil Word of the Day

The word for today is… orgy (noun) - 1: secret ceremonial rites held in honor of an ancient Greek or Roman deity and usually characterized by ecstatic singing and dancing 2a: drunken revelry b: a sexual encounter involving many people, also : an excessive sexual indulgence (see indulgence sense 1a) 3: excessive

Members Public
The Good Oil Daily Bible Verse

The Good Oil Daily Bible Verse

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Members Public
Night Cap

Night Cap

If you have a great Youtube, Rumble or Vimeo video to share send it to videos@goodoil.news If you're loving this trusty, straight-up news on Kiwi politics and beyond, why not become a paid member, eh? Unlock exclusive yarns, podcasts, vids, and in-depth analysis—your

Members Public