watchedadj.
/wɒtʃt/, U.S. /wɑtʃt/, /wɔtʃt/ a. Kept under close observation. †Also, of a hawk, that is kept awake (see watch v. 16).
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > [adjective] > that which is watched or observed
watched1566
the world > food and drink > hunting > hawking > action of hawk > [adjective] > kept awake
watched1566
1566 T. Nuce in J. Studley tr. Seneca Agamemnon Upon the same sig. Ciiv Hys request was suche: How that, to paynfull laboured stuffe My mynd I wolde annex: And do but as his watched worke, Whych he doth here contex Deserues.
a1633 Visct. Falkland Hist. Edward II (1680) 84 [The Scots] in a watch'd opportunity set upon the tail of his Army.
1650 N. Ward Discolliminium 34 Most that are out of the Army will ere long be as gentle as any watch'd Hawke.
1901 Wide World Mag. 6 421/2 How to get Diaz out of the watched room was a very awkward problem indeed.
b. Proverb.
ΚΠ
1848 E. C. Gaskell Mary Barton II. xiv. 184 What's the use of watching? A watched pot never boils.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1923; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adj.1566