ˈauə 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. 15Û of
longitude or
right ascension. øafter 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]
