timekeep

English

Alternative forms

• time-keep, time keep

Etymology

time +‎ keep, or possibly back-formation from timekeeping.

Verb

timekeep (third-person singular simple present timekeeps, present participle timekeeping, simple past and past participle timekept)

1. To keep track of and/or enforce any restrictions on the time; keep time.
   • 1979, American Journal of Mental Deficiency - Volume 84, page 294:

     Thus, the difficulty retarded persons experience with focusing and/or maintaining their attention toward a relevant stimulus dimension (Fisher & Zeaman, 1973) may well hinder their ability to timekeep and predict temporal intervals.

   • 1981, Sheila Ernst, Lucy Goodison, In our own hands: a woman's guide to self-help therapy, page 42:

     This exercise takes about forty-five minutes. Arrange for someone to timekeep.

   • 2000, Eric Brymer, Tom Hughes, Loel Collins, The Art of Freestyle, page 215:

     Timekeeping is very important, so it is advisable to appoint a responsible and reliable person whose only job is to timekeep.

   • 2007, Guy Arnold, In the Footsteps of George Borrow, page 63:

     I broke my watch on the first day and so was obliged to timekeep according to the sun;

Noun

timekeep (plural timekeeps)

1. A timekeeper; someone or something that timekeeps.
   • 1938, Wessel Smitter, F. O. B. Detroit, page 15:

     A timekeep gave us our cards and our badges and told us where to punch in and then let out a yell for Johnson, our straw boss.

   • 1947, The Hopkins Review - Volumes 1-3:

     Round little timekeeps set with crystal eye.

   • 2003, Kenneth Sanford, Legion's Riddle: The Hero's Journey, page 16:

     Now to my point, I just arranged my clocks and other timekeeps in my display casement when the explosion struck.

Anagrams

• keep time