Time… just what is it anyway….

Time, as defined by the Oxford English Dictionary is "a limited stretch or space of continued existence, as the interval between two successive events or acts, or the period through which an action, condition or state continues; a finite portion of time (in it’s infinite sense).

What exactly is time? It is a thing that can be measured, but it’s not a physical thing.

Time is a word derived from the Old English tima and the Old Norse word timi. Time has many senses, some of which follow.

It might be a particular period of time, as in " for the time being" or you might want to "pass time" doing nothing, or you could "pass time" doing something. Who knows which is right? If you are very successful at "passing time" you might just end up "killing time" as well.

This could be the time to do something, as in the hour, minute or second, or it could be "that time of the year". It could even be "The Times", a newspaper in New York or London, or many other cities or towns.

You might be a gangster in the "big time" or perhaps a lesser crook into "small time" crime. If you deal with big or small time crime you might just end up "doing time". If you really succeed, you could end up spending your whole "life time" in jail.

If "time is almost up" you are probably being "pressed for time". In this situation you probably have "no time" for clowning around.

You could be laid back and "take your time" doing something, or you might really slack off and accumulate a lot of "lost time". If you work extra time you might earn "time and a half", or even "double time", and of course you’d mark this on your "time card", or in some circles your "time sheet".

If you join the army you might start walking "double time" or "quick time" and you are probably "in time" with others, and you might just end up "marking time". If you are "out of time" , time is up, or you just might not have rhythm.

You might eat something at "breakfast time, lunch time or dinner time", or it might just happen that it’s "day time" or "night time".

"Often times" a child might perform his or her "times tables".

"Time and time again" in a sporting event you might have a "time out", or if you don’t want to work you might take "time off".

When it’s "about time" to do something it’s close, but "at the same time" it’s even closer. When you’re "on time" you are as close as you can get.

You could wait for something that has a time-delay, or put away some cash in a "time deposit". You might do some statistical work with a "time series" or have a "time lapse" if you lose your watch. If you do you might want to take a trip on a "time machine" to "make up the time lost".

If you want a job involving time you might become a "time keeper", or you could get a "time honored" position. "Time’s up for this paper" Hope you had a "good time" reading it!