How Do You Spell TIME BALL?

Pronunciation: [tˈa͡ɪm bˈɔːl] (IPA)

The spelling of "time ball" reflects the pronunciation of the two words. "Time" is pronounced /taɪm/, with a long "I" sound and a soft "M" at the end. "Ball" is pronounced /bɔl/, with a short "A" sound and a clear "L" at the end. Together, the two words form a compound noun that refers to a ball dropped at a predetermined time to help ships and observatories set their clocks. The spelling and pronunciation of "time ball" remain consistent across English-speaking countries.

Meaning and Definition
Common Misspellings
Etymology
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TIME BALL Meaning and Definition

  1. A time ball is a mechanical device used for timekeeping and visual signal purposes. It comprises a large ball situated on top of a tall mast or tower, typically located in a prominent position within a city. The purpose of the time ball is to provide an accurate and visible time reference to the public.

    The operation of a time ball involves dropping the ball at a specific predetermined time, usually corresponding with the moment the clock strikes a particular hour. This action enables people in the vicinity to precisely synchronize their timekeeping devices, such as pocket watches or chronometers, with the official time. The ball is hoisted back up shortly after being dropped, ready for the next day.

    Time balls were widely used during the 19th and early 20th centuries, before the availability of telegraph and radio signals for time dissemination. They were especially useful for mariners and navigators, who relied on accurate timekeeping to determine their longitude at sea. The visual signal of a dropping time ball could be observed from a distance, allowing ships' captains to calibrate their marine chronometers accordingly.

    Today, time balls are mostly obsolete due to advancements in technology and the prevalence of electronic timekeeping. However, certain cities still preserve their historical time balls as landmarks or museums, serving as a reminder of a bygone era when time synchronization was a vital part of society.

Common Misspellings for TIME BALL

Etymology of TIME BALL

The word "time ball" has a straightforward etymology.

The term "time" comes from the Old English word "tim(e)", which means "period", "season", or "fixed part of a day". It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic "tīmiz" and the Proto-Indo-European root "*dāi-", meaning "to divide" or "to cut".

The word "ball" is derived from the Old English "beall(u)", which means a "round object" or "sphere". It has its roots in the Proto-Germanic "*balluz" and can be linked to similar words in other Germanic languages.

When these two words are combined, "time ball" refers to a device or mechanism used to indicate the time.