Tempus-- time. There is a story, mentioned (we quote from memory) by the
learned Joe Miller; of a fellow who seeing "Tempus Fugit" inscribed upon
a clock, took it for the name of the artificer.
Persons who have lived a long _time_ in the world, are generally
accounted _sage_; and are sometimes considered to have had a good
_seasoning_.
Nouns which signify a part of time are put more commonly in the ablative
case, as
Nemo mortalium omnibus horis sapit:
No mortal man is wise at all hours.
The excuse of a philosopher for getting married.
But nouns which signify the duration of time are commonly put in the
accusative case, as
Pugna inter juvenem Curtium et Titum Sabinum tres horas perduravit.
The fight between young Curtius and Sabine Titus lasted three hours.
It is an error to suppose that Roman mills were only water-mills and
wind-mills. The above mill must have been rather a "winder" though, and
must have cost the combatants much _pains_.
We say also: in paucis diebus, in a few days: de die, by day, de nocte,
by night, &c.
A jest upon the nouns of _Time_ would, perhaps, be somewhat ill timed:
we hope, however, to have _Space_ for one presently.