hour -
n. 1 a twenty-fourth part of a day and night, 60 minutes.
2 a time of day, a point in time (a late
hour; what
is the
hour?).
3 (in pl.
with preceding numerals in form
18.00,
20.30, etc.)
this number of
hours and minutes past midnight on the 24-
hour clock (will assemble at
20.00
hours).
4 a a period
set aside for some purpose (lunch
hour; keep regular
hours). b (in pl.) a fixed period of time for work, use of a building, etc. (office
hours; opening
hours).
5 a short indefinite period of time (an idle
hour).
6 the present time (question of the
hour).
7 a time for action etc. (the
hour has come).
8 the distance traversed in one
hour by a means of transport stated or implied (we are an
hour from London).
9 RC Ch. a prayers to be said at one of seven fixed times of day (book of
hours). b any of
these times.
10 (prec. by the) each time o'clock of a
whole number of
hours (buses leave on the
hour; on the
half hour; at quarter
past the
hour).
11 Astron. 15
of longitude or right ascension.
after hours after closing-time. hour-hand the hand on a clock or watch which shows the hour. hour-long adj. lasting for one hour.
--adv. for one hour. till all hours till very late. [ME ure etc. f. AF ure, OF ore, eure f. L hora f. Gk hora season, hour]
