Water-clock definition

The inventor of the very first alarm clock was the first Greek who created the intricate design for the ancient water clock that could set off alarm sounds, usually a bell of some sort.

The building was surmounted by a weathercock in the form of a bronze Triton; it contained a water-clock to record the time when the sun was not shining.

When he visited Rome with Gunibald, king of the Burgundians, he took him to Boetius, who showed them, amongst other mechanical contrivances, a sun-dial and a water-clock.