Horology
/həˈrɒlədʒi/noun
The study and measurement of time, especially through clocks and watches.
Did you know?The ancient Greek horologion could refer to devices such as sundials and water clocks, making horology’s history begin long before mechanical watches.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*yōr-
“A reconstructed root associated with a year or cycle of time”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ὥρα (hṓrā)
“Season, period of time, or hour”
Hellenistic Greek
Greek
ὡρολόγιον (hōrologion)
“An instrument or account for telling time”
Late Antiquity
Latin
horologium
“A timepiece, clock, sundial, or water clock”
14th Century
English
horologe
“A clock or instrument for measuring time”
Modern English
English
horology
“The study and practice of measuring time, especially by clocks and watches”