watchfulnessn.
/ˈwɒtʃf(ᵿ)lnəs/, U.S. /ˈwɑtʃfəlnəs/, /ˈwɔtʃfəlnəs/ 1. Wakefulness, inability to sleep. Obsolete exc. Pathology.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > state of being awake > [noun] > wakefulness or sleeplessness > specific inability to sleep
watchfulness1596
insomnia1623
sleeplessness1646
vigilancy1657
vigily1665
vigilia1728
vigilance1749
insomnolence1822
insomnolencya1843
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > stupor or coma > [noun] > morbid sleeplessness
watchfulness1596
insomnia1623
agrypnia1665
coma vigil1708
1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene v. vi. sig. R5 Thus she all night wore out in watchfulnesse, Ne suffred slouthfull sleepe her eyelids to oppresse. View more context for this quotation
1615 G. Markham Eng. Hus-wife in Countrey Contentments ii. i. 10 If any of the family be troubled with too much watchfulnesse, so that they cannot by any meanes take rest.
1655 N. Culpeper et al. tr. L. Rivière Pract. Physick i. xi. 40 If after bleeding there comes watchfulness, the Humors will be again inflamed.
1759 Philos. Trans. 1758 (Royal Soc.) 50 683 Pains..attended with vomiting, anxiety, and great watchfulness.
1843 R. J. Graves Syst. Clin. Med. xi. 121 Early and decided determination to the brain, producing delirium, watchfulness, coma.
1876 W. Roberts Urinary & Renal Dis. (ed. 3) iii. x. 537 The tumour..spread in all directions, causing great pain and watchfulness.
2.
a. The quality or state of being watchful or attentively observant; vigilance.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > [noun]
wareness971
i-warnessa1250
awaitc1374
watch14..
circumspecta1513
vigilancy1537
vigilance1570
advigilancy1577
wait?1578
vigilantnessa1599
lookout1599
watchfulness1611
alert1801
wakefulness1830
outlook1879
monitoring1924
the mind > attention and judgement > attention > notice, observation > [noun] > closeness of observation
vigilancy1537
vigilance1570
watchfulness1611
sharpness1823
1611 B. Jonson Catiline iv. sig. M And call their diligence, deceipt;..Their watchfulnesse, but lying in waite. View more context for this quotation
1644 K. Digby Two Treat. ii. iv. 390 The watchfulnesse and recalling of our thoughts backe to their enioyned worke, when they breake loose and runne astray.
1758 Philos. Trans. 1757 (Royal Soc.) 50 22 By care and watchfulness the violence of the symptoms were kept under.
1815 W. Scott Guy Mannering I. xviii. 288 He..has, at different times, made eulogium upon the watchfulness and ferocity of his dogs.
1821 C. Lamb in London Mag. Aug. 155/2 A Quaker..knows, that his syllables are weighed—and how far a consciousness of this particular watchfulness..has a tendency to produce indirect answers.
1847 G. P. R. James Convict ix With a quiet, cat-like watchfulness, Filmer remarked everything which passed between Eda Brandon and Charles Dudley.
1879 in Cassell's Techn. Educator I. 285/1 This plan, however, requires constant care and watchfulness, which it is difficult at all times to ensure.
b. const. of, over; also with infinitive of purpose.
ΚΠ
1624 J. Donne Deuotions xiv. 337 How busie, and perplexed a Cobweb, is the Happinesse of Man here, that must bee made vp with a Watchfulnesse, to lay hold vpon Occasion.
1725 I. Watts Logick ii. iii. 319 The Cure of these Prejudices is attain'd by a constant Jealousy of ourselves, and Watchfulness over our Passions.
1853 C. Dickens Bleak House xiv. 142 His watchfulness of my Guardian was incessant. He rarely removed his eyes from his face.
1862 J. Ruskin Unto this Last i. 12 In protective watchfulness of his master's interest and credit, or in joyful readiness to seize unexpected..occasions of help.
1868 A. Duff True Nobility 73 As the causes of it [irresolution] came to be detected, there was inward watchfulness over their operation.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1923; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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