noun
water clock; clepsydra
Historical timekeeping device that measures time by the flow of water. Often encountered in discussions of ancient technology or in historical contexts.
古代中国では漏刻を使って時間を計っていた。
In ancient China, they used water clocks to measure time.
漏刻はエジプトやギリシャでも発達した。
Water clocks also developed in Egypt and Greece.
From Chinese 漏刻 (lòukè), combining 漏 'to leak, drip' and 刻 'to carve, mark time'.