a twenty-fourth part of a day; 60 minutes; a point or period of time
brief time period
Cases of word usage
1) a diagram consisting of a line or lines showing the variation of two related quantities, e.g. the temperature at each hour (graph)
2) done or occurring every hour (hourly)
3) to mark (a person's skin) with permanent designs or patterns by pricking it and putting in dyes or stains; the beating of drum(s) to call soldiers back to quarter; hour at which this is sounded (tattoo)
4) in the direction of; towards a condition, quality, state etc; as far as; until; (used when telling the time) before the hour mentioned; towards the position wanted (especially a closed one); (used after many verbs to make sentences etc): 'He wants to go' (to)