Definitions

1. noun

A glass vessel with two bulbs of different sizes, used for measuring time, typically by allowing the sand to flow from the top bulb through a narrow neck into the lower bulb, when the sand has run out, indicating a certain period of time has elapsed.

“The ship’s captain used a sandglass to time their navigation through the treacherous waters.”

2. noun

A unit of time equal to the time it takes for the sand to flow from the top bulb to the lower bulb, typically 30 or 60 minutes.

“The pilot had to wait for the sandglass to expire before taking off.”

3. verb

To measure time using a sandglass.

“The sailors had to sandglass the time it took for the ship to cross the equator.”