sablier

hourglass

noun sah-blee-EH Rare

Origin: from sable (sand) + -ier (instrument suffix)

Also means

sand timer

Usage Note

Sablier is the classic sand-filled glass used to measure short intervals of time. It is masculine, and les sabliers are still common as kitchen timers. The word also names an hourglass-shaped body silhouette in fashion contexts.

Examples

"Le sablier est retourné depuis deux minutes."

Natural Translation

The hourglass has been turned over for two minutes.

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