LATIN DICTIONARYLexicon Latīnum
noun · femininefirst declension

clepsydra

clepsydra f (genitive clepsydrae)
Classical[ˈkɫɛp.sy.dra]Ecclesiastical[ˈklɛp.si.dra]

Meaning

  1. femininewater clock, clepsydra

Declension

declension
formsingularplural
nominativeclepsydraclepsydrae
clipsadrae
genitiveclepsydrae
clipsadrae		clepsydrārum
clipsadrārum
dativeclepsydrae
clipsadrae		clepsydrīs
clipsadrīs
accusativeclepsydram
clipsadram		clepsydrās
clipsadrās
ablativeclepsydrāclepsydrīs
clipsadrīs
vocativeclepsydraclepsydrae
clipsadrae

clepsўdra, ae, f., = κλεψύδρα,
I. an instrument for measuring time by water, similar to our sand-glasses, a water-clock, clepsydra, Sen. Ep. 24, 19; Veg. Mil. 3, 8; App. M. 3, p. 130, 19; used by speakers to measure the length of their discourse, Cic. Tusc. 2, 27, 67; Plin. Ep. 2, 11, 14; 6, 2, 5; 1, 23, 2.—Meton., the time measured by the clepsydra, and hence, petere clepsydram, to ask leave to speak; and dare clepsydram, to give leave to speak, Cic. de Or. 3, 34, 138; Mart. 6, 35; cf. aqua, II. F., and Dict. of Antiq. pp. 508 sq.

Origins

Borrowed from Ancient Greek κλεψύδρα (klepsúdra, “pipette, water clock”).

Descendants
  • Englishclepsydra
  • Italianclessidra

In English words that came into English from clepsydra

  • clepsydraclepsydra

Quick answers

What does clepsydra mean in Latin?
clepsydra, a noun, means “water clock, clepsydra”.
What is the genitive of clepsydra?
The genitive singular is clepsydrae. clepsydra is feminine, first declension.
How do you pronounce clepsydra?
In classical Latin, [ˈkɫɛp.sy.dra]; in ecclesiastical (church) Latin, [ˈklɛp.si.dra].