Definition

Noun: A type of decorative wall clock, typically made of wood and designed to resemble a small house, that announces each hour with a mechanical bird (a cuckoo) emerging from a small door to make a sound that mimics the call of a cuckoo bird.

Usage

The term "cuckoo clock" is used to refer to this specific, traditional style of timepiece. It is a countable noun. - The old cuckoo clock in the hallway chimes every hour. - We bought a beautiful wooden cuckoo clock as a souvenir from Germany. - I find the sound of a cuckoo clock charming.

Advanced Usage

• Cultural Symbol: The cuckoo clock is often strongly associated with German, Swiss, and Black Forest craftsmanship and is a common symbol of traditional folk art from those regions.
  • The region is famous for its intricate cuckoo clocks.

Variants and Related Words

• Cuckoo (noun): The bird whose two-note call ("cuck-oo") the clock mimics. This is the source of the clock's name.
• Clockwork (noun): The internal mechanism of such clocks, often involving weights, chains, and gears.
  • The cuckoo clock's clockwork needs to be wound once a week.

Synonyms

• Musical clock: A broader term for clocks that produce sounds or melodies on the hour, which can include cuckoo clocks.
• Novelty clock: A general term for clocks with unusual or decorative designs, under which cuckoo clocks can be categorized.

Related Phrases

• To go like clockwork / To run like clockwork: An idiom meaning to proceed very smoothly and efficiently, without problems. While not exclusive to cuckoo clocks, it references precise mechanical operation.
  • The event went like clockwork.

Noun

1. clock that announces the hours with a sound like the call of the cuckoo