watchn.
/wɒtʃ/, U.S. /wɑtʃ/, /wɔtʃ/ I. Wakefulness, vigil.† 1. † 5. A vicious turning of night into day, ‘chambering’. Obsolete.
a. The state of being awake; voluntary or involuntary going without sleep; wakefulness. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > state of being awake > [noun]
watchc1000
wakea1250
watching?1550
wakeness1585
vigilation1598
wakerifeness1606
wakefulness1626
c1000 Sax. Leechd. I. 350 To slæpe, gate horn under heafod gelæd weccan [v.r. wæccan] he on slæpe gecyrreþ.
c1000 Sax. Leechd. II. 152 Gif men sie micel wæce getenge, popig gegnid on ele smire [etc.].
c1400 Rom. Rose 4132 Long wacche on nightis, and no slepinge.
c1440 J. Capgrave Life St. Katherine 125 My lord youre eem may not wedde yow neyther in wetche [v.r. wecch] ne in dreem.
1539 T. Elyot Castel of Helthe (new ed.) 48 Sembably immoderate watch drieth to moch the body.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Hamlet (1623) ii. ii. 149 He..Fell into a Sadnesse, then into a Fast, Thence to a Watch, [etc.].
a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) iii. iv. 41 False to his Bed? What is it to be false? To lye in watch there, and to thinke on him? View more context for this quotation
1631 D. Widdowes tr. W. A. Scribonius Nat. Philos. (new ed.) 52 There be certaine appointed courses for watch and sleepe, lest creatures languish with overmuch motion.
b. watch of nightingales n. in the early lists of ‘proper terms’, apparently intended to designate wakefulness as the distinctive quality of the bird; by late writers misapprehended as the proper term for a flock or company of nightingales. Cf. watching n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > order Passeriformes (singing) > family Muscicapidae (thrushes, etc.) > subfamily Turdinae > [noun] > genus Luscinia > luscinia megarhynchos (nightingale) > flock of
watch of nightingalesc1452
watching1688
c1452 Egerton MS. 1995 (Hodgkin) Waycche of Nyghtynggales.
1486 Bk. St. Albans f. vi A wache of Nyghtingalis.
1801 J. Strutt Glig-gamena Angel-ðeod i. ii. 33.
1847 J. O. Halliwell Dict. Archaic & Provinc. Words II Wache, a flock of birds.]
2. † b. A wake or revel held on St. John the Baptist's (Midsummer) Eve (23 June), sometimes renewed on St. Peter's Eve (28 June). Obsolete.
a. Watching as a devotional exercise or religious observance; an act or instance of this. Now rare (archaic) except in watch-night (see Compounds 2).
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > worship > observance, ritual > kinds of rite > watch-night > [noun]
watch971
watch-night1742
society > faith > worship > sacrament > (extreme) unction > vigil > [noun]
watch971
wakingc1175
wakec1200
vigil?1504
pernoctation1633
setting-up1835
971 Blickl. Hom. 37 Mid fæstenne, & mid halgum wæccum, & mid ælmessum.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 1451 Wiþþ fasstinng. & wiþþ bede sang. Wiþþ cnelinng. & wiþþ wecche.
c1200 Vices & Virtues 89 Lieue saule, ic ðe bidde and warni ðat tu none hope ne haue upe ðine fasten, Ne upe ðine wæcche, ne uppe non oðre gode.
c1275 Orison 21 in Old Eng. Misc. (1872) 139 Wunderliche þurh wacche and fast Þi swete lychome þu teonedest.
1421 in 26 Pol. Poems xviii. 113 Kepe ȝoure wacche and seruyce dewe, And rule of habyte clenely ȝeme.
c1450 J. Capgrave Life St. Augustine (1910) 27 So for to make hem mor lith in her wecch, þis same bischop ded ordeyn swete songis and delectable.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection ii. sig. Miiiv With the merittes and werkes of harde penaunce, abstinence, watche, prayer, tormentes and martyrdome.
1877 Life St. Willibrord i. 7 There for some years he served God in fast, watch, and prayer, in a little cell.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > social event > festive occasion > specific festivities > [noun] > festivities associated with midsummer
summer gamea1400
watch1445
summer ale1586
summering1606
midsummer alea1639
1445 Cov. Leet Bk. 220 Pur le Ridyng on Corpus Christi day and for Watche on Midsomer even.
1511 in Songs, Carols etc. (E.E.T.S.) App. 156 On Myd-somer nyght þe Kyng cam prevyly to the Kyngis Hed in Chepe,..& so departid agayn after þe washe. & on seynt Peters nyght the Kyng & þe Quene cam rydyng to the Kyngis Hed royally; & after þe washe, departid to þe Towr.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. clxxvii By reason of this plague the watches whiche were wont to be kept yerely in London on saint Ihons euen at Mydsommer & saint Peters euen were..commaunded to be left for that yere.
1552–3 in A. Feuillerat Documents Office of Revels Edward VI (1914) 92 vj hobby horses for mydsomer watch.
1592 J. Stow Annales 1004 1548..The watch..of long time laid downe, was now againe vsed, both on the eeuen of S. Iohn, and of S. Peter, in as comely order as it had beene accustomed, which watch was greatly beautified by the number of more than 300. demilances and light horsmen [etc.].
c. A ‘wake’ over a dead person.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > obsequies > [noun] > vigil or wake
head-wardOE
watcha1325
vigilc1374
lyke-wakec1405
wake1412
latewake1667
waking1823
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 2467 Cristene folc..Don for ðe dede chirche-gong, Elmesse-gifte and messe-song, And ðat is on ðe weches stede.
1908 Church Times 13 Mar. 347/2 A watch was kept all night, the Men's Guild making themselves responsible.
3. The action or a continued act of watching; a keeping awake and vigilant for the purpose of attending, guarding, observing, or the like.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > keeping watch > [noun]
watchc888
watching1479
vigilation1598
outlook1815
vigil1816
vigil-keeping1897
watch-keeping1946
c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. xxxi. §1 Hu micele wæccan & hu micle unrotnesse se hæfð þe ðone won willan hæfð on þisse worulde.
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis II. 96 So mot I nedes fro hire wende And of my wachche make an ende.
c1450 Mirk's Festial 180 He com to þe chyrch and to þe scryne of Saynt Wenefryd, and was þer yn his prayers al a nyght. But on þe morow, what for wach, what for wery, he fylle on slepe.
1541 T. Paynell tr. Felicius Conspiracie of Catiline i. f. 1 He was an experte man of warre: he could suffer and endure labour, watche, colde, thyrste, and hunger, far beyond that any man wolde beleue.
1577 J. Grange Golden Aphroditis Ep. Ded. sig. Aijv Diodorus the Stoike..thorow his continuall watch and excessiue studie, being blinde of long time.
1597 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet ii. ii. 35 Care keepes his watch in euerie old mans eye, And where care lodgeth, sleep can neuer lie. View more context for this quotation
1600 E. Blount tr. G. F. di Conestaggio Hist. Uniting Portugall to Castill 317 They were so wearied with the watches of the last night.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis ix, in tr. Virgil Wks. 473 The Foe securely drench'd in Sleep and Wine, Neglect their Watch.
1704 J. Addison tr. Ovid Met., Phaeton's Sisters 31 All the long night their mournful watch they keep, And all the day stand round the tomb and weep.
1788 F. Burney Diary 25 Nov. (1842) IV. 332 These night-watches, and this close attendance, disagree with them all.
1847 Ld. Tennyson Princess vi. 127 Wan was her cheek With hollow watch.
1859 H. Kingsley Recoll. G. Hamlyn xxxix Sometimes we would think of poor Mary Hawker, at her lonely watch up at the forest station.
a1894 R. L. Stevenson In South Seas (1896) ii. vi. 204 Others had wearied of the watch; and as the sun was setting, he found himself by the grave alone.
4. [translating Latin vigilia, Greek ϕυλακή, Hebrew ashmōreth.] Each of the (three, four, or five) periods into which the night was anciently divided. Now often in collective plural, the watches of the night, used rhetorically for ‘the night-time’.The Hebrews divided the night into three watches, the Greeks usually into four (sometimes five), the Romans (followed by the Jews in New Testament times) into four.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > day and night > night > [noun] > watch or period into which night was divided
watchc1000
night watchOE
quarterc1330
vigilc1380
wakingc1384
quarter-nightc1390
morning watch1535
the world > time > day and night > night > [noun]
nighteOE
nightertalec1300
darkc1400
nightertimec1425
night-timec1430
night-tidea1500
night-season1530
darkmans?1536
Nox1567
moonshine1652
darkie?1738
the watches of the night1826
nite1928
bat-flight1934
c1000 Ælfric Homilies II. 388 Drihten com to his leorning~cnihtum..on ðære feorðan wæccan. An wæcce hæfð þreo tida; feower wæccan gefyllað twelf tida; swa fela tida hæfð seo niht.
c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Luke (Corpus Cambr.) xii. 38 Gif he cymð on þære æfteran wæccan, oððe on þære þriddan. [So Tindale and all later versions; Wyclif has wakynge.]
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. SSSiii In iewry..the nyght was deuided in to .iiii. partes, whiche they called .iiii. watches. The firste was, from the begynnyng of the nyght vnto .ix. of the clocke. The seconde, from .ix. to .xii. The thirde, from .xii. to .iii. And the fourthe from .iii. to .vi. of the clocke.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Exod. xiv. 24 Whan the mornynge watch came, the Lorde loked vpon the armies of the Egipcians.
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 iv. iii. 158 As he whose brow (with homely biggen bound) Snores out the watch of night. View more context for this quotation
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 119 The day was not diuided of the first Hebrewes..into houres, but was distinguished by Vigiliæ, or Watches, of which they had foure.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1623) i. i. 125 At this odde Euen and dull watch o' th' night.
1706 R. Estcourt Fair Example iv. i. 51 Fan. Well, my dear, it begins to grow late, and it's time I shou'd leave you. Mrs. Fan. It do's indeed, Husband, I believe the first watch is expir'd.
1742 H. Fielding Joseph Andrews I. i. xv. 100 When the Company had retired the Evening before, the Thief was detained in a Room where the Constable, and one of the young Fellows who took him, were planted as his Guard. About the second Watch, a general Complaint of Drowth was made. View more context for this quotation
1826 W. Scott Jrnl. 21 Jan. (1939) 74 The watches of the night pass wearily when disturbd by fruitless regrets.
1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam lxxxix. 134 Come: not in watches of the night, But where the sunbeam broodeth warm. View more context for this quotation
1883 R. Broughton Belinda I. i. viii. 137 How can she hurry the pace? she asks herself desperately, in the watches of the night.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > profligacy, dissoluteness, or debauchery > [noun] > turning night into day
watchc1225
c1225 Leg. Kath. 1766 For nabbe ich nawt þeos niht i worldliche wecchen, ah habbe in heouenliche iwaket.
c1430 J. Lydgate Minor Poems (Percy Soc.) 90 Hateful of herte he was to sobrenesse, Cherisshyng surfaytes wacche and gloteny.
II. Action of watching or observing.† 8. † b. A payment or tax for the upkeep of watchmen. Obsolete.† 9. A lying in wait, an ambush; hence an insidious design or plot. Phrases, to lay watch, to place an ambush, to lie at, in, watch (for). Obsolete.† 15. Something to catch the eye, a bait to catch the attention of a hawk. Obsolete.† 16. A signal. Obsolete.
6. in extended use.1804 T. Campbell Soldier's Dream 2 The night-cloud had lowered, And the sentinel stars set their watch in the sky.† e. Watchfulness, vigilance. Obsolete.personified.c1412 T. Hoccleve De Regimine Principum 76 Agayn my luste, Wach profrid his seruise, And I admittid hym in heuy wyse.
a. The action or an act of watching or observing with continuous attention; a continued look-out, as of a sentinel or guard. Chiefly in phrases, †to make watch, to keep (a, the) watch, to set a watch.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > watching or keeping guard > [noun] > as a watchman or sentinel
wardOE
day watchOE
watch1377
watch and ward1390
wakingc1440
scout-watch1464
watching and warding1579
sentinel1585
day ward1597
romboyle1612
escouta1627
sentry1639
watchment1740
wardage1878
sentry-go1880
sentry-going1901
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. ix. 17 Ac þe constable of þat castel þat kepeth al þe wacche, Is a wyse kniȝte with-al, sire Inwitte he hatte.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 520/1 Wetche, for enmees, excubie.
1486 Countess of Oxford in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 447 I..streitly chargie you, that ye..endevoire yourself that suche wetche or othir meanes be vsed and hadde in the poortes, crekes, and othre places..to the letting of his seid purpose.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) ix. 318 He..has the castell tan, Throu falt of vach, vith litill payn.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin xx. 318 And the[i] drinke and ete ech day and trouble so theire braynes that thei sette litill wacche in theire hoste.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin iv. 76 Therfore a-ray youre oste and your barons, and comaunde hem to make gode wacche to diffende hem-self.
1538 T. Elyot Dict. Excubiæ,..watche, as well by daye as by nyghte.
1549 in J. G. Nichols Chron. Grey Friars (1852) 64 That day begane agayne the washe at every gatt in London of the comeneres in harnes with weppyns.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. cxx They kepe so good watche, that nothing can escape them.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 650 The Magistrates and gouernours caused great watches to be kept, and good order to be obserued.
1582 N. Lichefield tr. F. L. de Castanheda 1st Bk. Hist. Discouerie E. Indias i. vii. 18 The Generall.. determined to enter into the Harbour of Monsambicke,..appointing also there shoulde be great watch, for preuention of the Moores.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III v. v. 8 King. Good Norffolke, hie thee to thy charge, Vse carefull watch, chuse trustie centinell.
1625 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 51 Loue can finde entrance, not only into an open Heart; but also into a Heart well fortified; if watch be not well kept.
c1660 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1625 (1955) II. 7 I well remember the strict Watches, and examinations upon the Ways as we pass'd.
1670 J. Ray Coll. Eng. Prov. 28 Good watch prevents misfortune.
1798 S. Lee Young Lady's Tale in H. Lee Canterbury Tales II. 238 [He] had a strict watch kept on the wanderings of the melancholy Lenox.
1827 J. Keble Christian Year I. iii. 10 Even so, heart-searching Lord,..Thou keepest silent watch from thy triumphal throne.
1835 G. P. R. James Gipsy ii ‘Keep a good watch, my boys,’ he said,..‘There is danger stirring abroad.’
1842 C. Dickens Amer. Notes II. viii. 243 Many an eager eye glanced up to where the Look-out on the mast kept watch for Holyhead.
1867 A. C. Swinburne in Fortn. Rev. Oct. 431 The look in it as of bright bewildered eyes with tears not theirs and alien wonder in the watch of them.
1886 C. Scholl Phraseol. Dict. II. 834 I kept a watch on that man all the time he was on the premises.
1901 Munsey's Mag. 24 515/2 He kept watch of you even after the money was stolen.
b. The duty, post or office of watchman or sentinel. to stand watch, to stand a or one's watch: to keep watch, perform the duty of a watch. Now chiefly Nautical, to take part in the duty of a ‘watch’ during a prescribed time. Also in Bible phrase to stand upon one's watch.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > watching or keeping guard > watch or keep guard [verb (intransitive)]
to stand upon one's watch1535
sentinel1593
to lie (also stand, stay, etc.) perdu1607
to mount (the) guard1669
to keep guard1712
sentry1910
to watch a person's back1974
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > watching or keeping guard > [noun] > one who watches or keeps guard > office or duty of
waitership1485
watch1535
watchmanshipa1607
wardership1897
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Neh. vii. 3 Whyle they are yet stondinge in the watch, the dores shall be shut and barred. And there were certayne citesyns of Ierusalem appoynted to be watch~men, euery one in his watch.
1550 in Southampton Court Leet Rec. (1905) I. i. 15 Wherfore yt ys comaunded that every man paye his watches for the welthe and Savegard of the towne as [etc.].
1581 A. Hall tr. Homer 10 Bks. Iliades vii. 132 They to their supper do departe, some to the watch do hye, And some their tyred limmes to reste on couches downe do lye.
1611 Bible (King James) Hab. ii. 1 I will stand vpon my watch, and set mee vpon the towre, and will watch to see what he will say vnto me. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) ii. iii. 12 Welcome Iago, we must to the watch . View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) v. ii. 335 There is besides in Roderigoes letter How he vpbraides Iago, that he made him, Braue me vpon the watch . View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) v. v. 31 As I did stand my watch vpon the Hill I look'd toward Byrnane, and anon me thought The Wood began to moue.
1724 A. Ramsay Vision in Ever Green I. iv My wakryfe mynd..still stude watch.
1883 Cent. Mag. 26 911/1 Fenton stood the first watch.
1890 Chambers's Jrnl. 21 June 389/1 He's the ship's carpenter, and stands watch as second officer.
c. Surveillance over a person, either for his protection or with hostile intent.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > keeping watch > [noun] > surveillance
markingc1443
watch1611
observation1776
surveillance1802
surveilling1966
1611 Bible (King James) Job vii. 12 Am I a sea, or a whale, that thou settest a watch ouer me? View more context for this quotation
1776 Trial Maha Rajah Nundocomar for Forgery 23/2 I do not put a watch over him; how can I tell who has seen him.
1782 F. Burney Cecilia II. iii. viii. 103 We shall be able to keep a better watch over her.
1827 W. Scott Highland Widow in Chron. Canongate 1st Ser. I. xii. 286 Impatient of the watch which was placed over her.
1885 Bible (R.V.) 1 Sam. xxvi. 15 Wherefore then hast thou not kept watch over thy lord the king?
d. on, upon (the) watch: on the look out, exercising vigilance. Const. for, to with infinitive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > vigilant or on one's guard [phrase]
on warec893
on (also upon) one's guard1574
on (at, of, upon) one's keeping1590
on, upon (the) watch1719
on (also upon) the qui vive1726
on the alert1795
on one's toes1921
1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 237 I resolv'd to put my self upon the Watch, to see them when they came on Shore.
1775 A. Burnaby Trav. Middle Settlements N.-Amer. 28 (note) The bald-eagle, which is generally upon the watch, instantly pursues [the fishing-hawk].
1811 J. Austen Sense & Sensibility II. iv. 64 Wherever they went, she was evidently always on the watch . View more context for this quotation
1847 C. Dickens Dombey & Son (1848) xxv. 255 The..door..opened when he knocked—for Rob was on the watch.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. ii. 182 He must be always on the watch for the indications of a coming reaction.
1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) III. 237 We should not have been on the watch to keep one another from doing wrong.
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
14.. J. Lydgate Lyke thyn Audience 28 in Polit. Relig. & Love Poems (1903) 48 [Hunt game] with bowe and arow in honde Mawgre the wache of fosters and parkerris.
1467 J. Wykes in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 374 Maketh gode wach be tyme.
1530 Myroure Oure Ladye (Fawkes) (1873) ii. 241 Thoughe she ordeyned wyth all watche & dylygence her thoughtes wordes & dedes to the worshyp of god, yet she dredde that somme defaulte was in them.
7. † b. in plural. Obsolete. rare.† c. = 8b. Obsolete.
a. watch and ward: the action of ‘watching and warding’ (see watch v. 6b, 10, watching n. 1c); the performance of the duty of a watchman or sentinel, esp. as a feudal obligation. Now only (as often in earlier times) a rhetorical and more emphatic synonym of watch in sense 6; also figurative.It has often been supposed that in this phrase watch refers to service by night and ward to service by day, but this seems to be merely an unsupported inference from the etymology.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > watching or keeping guard > [noun] > as a watchman or sentinel
wardOE
day watchOE
watch1377
watch and ward1390
wakingc1440
scout-watch1464
watching and warding1579
sentinel1585
day ward1597
romboyle1612
escouta1627
sentry1639
watchment1740
wardage1878
sentry-go1880
sentry-going1901
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis II. 202 Thei..maken thanne warde and wacche, Wher thei the profit mihten cacche.
c1425 in Black Bk. Admir. (Rolls) I. 284 That every man be obeissant to his capitene to kepe his wacche and warde.
?1473 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Recuyell Hist. Troye (1894) I. lf. 46v He doth yow to wete that ye do kepe yow wyth good wacche and warde.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. ccccxxxiii. 308 Thus they stode styll kepynge watche and warde, redy at their defence.
1576 G. Gascoigne Complaynt of Phylomene in Steele Glas sig. K But I which spend, the darke and dreadful night, In watch & ward, when those birds take their rest, Forpine my selfe.
1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene i. iii. sig. C2v Still when she slept, he kept both watch and ward.
1630 tr. G. Botero Relations Famous Kingdomes World (rev. ed.) 137 As for their Watch and Ward, it goes by course, as in the City of Embden, and divers other in those low countries.
1687 Declar. Dubl. 8 Dec. in London Gaz. No. 2222/3 We do hereby further Require..that the Laws of this Realm concerning the keeping of Watch and Ward, and for raising the Hue-and-Cry be duly observed.
1780 E. Burke Speech Bristol previous to Election 60 But let government..comprehend the whole in its justice, and restrain the suspicious by its vigilance; let it keep watch and ward;..and then it will be as safe as ever God and nature intended it should be.
1817 S. T. Coleridge Biographia Literaria I. x. 191 At least let us not be lulled into such a notion of our entire security, as not to keep watch and ward, even on our best feelings.
1847 C. Dickens Dombey & Son (1848) xi. 98 Mrs. Pipchin had kept watch and ward over little Paul and his sister, for nearly twelve months.
1859 C. Dickens Tale of Two Cities ii. iii. 50 The jury..were not agreed... My Lord..signified his pleasure that they should retire under watch and ward, and retired himself.
1868 Act 31 & 32 Victoria c. lix. Preamble Whereas the Power of Watch and Ward within the University and City of Oxford has heretofore been customarily exercised during the Night by the Chancellor, Masters, and Scholars of the University of Oxford, and during the Day by the Mayor, Aldermen, and Citizens of the City of Oxford.
1873 W. Black Princess of Thule xvii. 267 The necessity of keeping some watch and ward over his tongue.
1906 S. J. Reid Life & Lett. Ld. Durham II. xviii. 32 Along the southern line of the Russian frontiers it was necessary to keep military watch and ward against the predatory incursions of Tartar tribes.
ΚΠ
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) ix. xxv. 362 By watches and wardes of knyghtes the nighte is departed in foure, bi foure partes and orders of watches.
1511 Pylgrymage Richarde Guylforde (Pynson) f. vij Arragonse..is the strongest towne of walles Towres, Bulwerkes watches and wardes that euer I sawe in all my lyfe.
ΚΠ
1566 in Southampton Court Leet Rec. (1905) I. i. 41 Item that non put eny catall Into the comyn who is not a howseholder and paye watche and warde vpon payne to furfet for evere tyme so offendinge 2/-.
a. The action of keeping guard and maintaining order in the streets, esp. during the night, performed by a picked body of the community. Phrase, to keep watch. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > watching or keeping guard > [noun] > guarding the streets > by a picked body of the community
watch1442
1442 in J. Stuart Extracts Council Reg. Aberdeen (1844) I. 8 And ony waicheman that slepis in the nyght, or removis fra the waiche quhile the son rise, sal pay vi d. to the seriandes.
1532 Cov. Leet Bk. 712 All Constables within the Citie & suburbes of the same shal-be discharged fromehensforth of the Comen watche in this Citie & also of all paymentes & charges of the same.
1534 in W. H. Turner Select. Rec. Oxf. (1880) 128 In the night wach to be kept by the Univ. no freman..should..be vexed..by the wach.
1549 in J. G. Nichols Chron. Grey Friars (1852) 65 That nyght was the comyneres of London was dyscharged of ther waching at alle the gattes of London in harnes, and to wache no more but the comyne wache as a nyttes in every warde as it hath bene acostomyd before.
1878 J. Davidson Inverurie iv. 138 A watch to be kept by sixteen persons every night, and two sentinels in every steeple by day.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > impost, due, or tax > local or municipal taxes or dues > [noun] > rates > for watchmen
watch1430
watch and ward1546
watch1566
watch rate1835
watching-rate1836
1430–1 in Hist. MSS Comm.: 10th Rep.: App. Pt. V: MSS Marquis of Ormonde &c. (1885) 294 in Parl. Papers (C. 4576-I) XLII. 1 No Maire..shal pardon and forgyve amercements of brede, ale, wacche and affrayes.
1467 in J. T. Smith & L. T. Smith Eng. Gilds (1870) 390 That then he pay taske, tallage, knyghtenspence, wacches, and other charges wtyn the warde that he comyth furst in to the seid cite by.
1502 tr. Ordynarye of Crysten Men (de Worde) iv. ix. sig. t.iiii v To pay taxes watches subsydes, or passages agayne theyr wyll.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > keeping watch > keep watch [verb (intransitive)]
wait1338
to do, make waitc1440
to lay watch?a1475
invigilate1553
advigilate1623
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > [noun] > hostile lying in wait > a lying in wait or ambush
waitingc1200
spyc1380
settingc1430
watch?a1475
wait1533
stale1557
ambush1573
imboscata1595
stand1616
belaying1677
?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1865) I. 195 Helle..fleenge the wacches of here steppe moder [L. fugiens insidias novercales].
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 430/2 Kepyng hym self ryght curyously fro the prychyng sawtes and watche of the world.
1533 J. Bellenden tr. Livy Hist. Rome (1903) II. v. 207 Þai..began to drede sum hid watche and tressoun [L. insidias vereri].
1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Macc. xi. 68 And beholde, the hoostes of the Heithen met them in the felde, & layed watch for them in the mountaynes.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 5585 Bot the ffreikes were ferd of hor fre shippes, ffor to caire by the coste, & knew not the waches.
1545 in I. S. Leadam Select Cases Court of Requests (1898) 183 Defendauntes..leyd at divers tymes watch to take the corne off the said complaynaunt.
1548 T. Cranmer Catechismus sig. Bvjv For if we shuld not muche forbeare and forgyue one another,..we shoulde neuer haue measure nor ende of chiding, scoldynge, layinge in watche one of an other [etc.].
c1550 Complaynt Scotl. (1979) xi. 68 Thai lay at the vacht lyik the ald subtil doggis.
1555 H. Braham Inst. Gentleman sig. Evij Manius..was..abhorred of hys own soldiers, euen so muche as they tooke hym in a watche, and set hym vpon an Asse backe hys fete bounde vnder the bely of the Asse [etc.].
1653 I. Walton Compl. Angler iii. 91 He [the trout] gets him into swifter and swifter streams, and there lies at the watch for any flie or Minow that comes neer to him. View more context for this quotation
10.
a. One who watches; a look-out man; †a spy.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > secret observation, spying > [noun] > a secret observer, spy
showerOE
spya1325
exploratorc1429
watch1484
inquisitor1580
scout1585
fly1622
otacust1632
evidence1691
lurcher1706
plant1812
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > keeping watch > [noun] > one who
waker1382
veilc1390
watch1484
watcher1525
observator1611
eye1837
watch-keeper1900
1484 W. Caxton tr. G. de la Tour-Landry Bk. Knight of Tower (1971) cxxiii. 164 By the false watches & bacbyters whiche ben neuer cessyng to talke of som euylle rather than of somme good.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xix. 442 Bot the lord dowglas, that ay-quhar Set out wachis heir and thar Gat wit of thair enbuschement.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) vi. 44 Bot he, that had his vachis ay On ilk syde, of thar cummyng, Lang or thai com, had vittering.
1572 (a1500) Taill of Rauf Coilȝear (1882) 276 The King buskit him sone, with scant of Squyary. Wachis and Wardroparis all war away.
1819 W. Irving Sketch Bk. i. 18 Suddenly the watch gave the alarm of ‘a sail ahead!’
b. Cricket. A fieldsman; also, a fielding position or station. (Winchester College.)
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > fielding > [noun] > fielding position
watch1836
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > cricketer > [noun] > fielder
seeker-out1744
fieldsman1772
fieldman1773
field1816
fielder1824
scout1824
fag1825
watch1836
leather-hunter1944
1836 New Sporting Mag. Oct. 360 The fielding of the ‘Wykehamist watches’ was very different from years gone by.
1843 ‘Wykhamist’ Pract. Hints Cricket Frontispiece p. i The ‘watches’ are placed more behind the wicket, since the introduction of the Round Bowling, than they were formerly.
1871 F. Gale Echoes Cricket Fields v. 27 What I call an all-round player is a man who will go to any watch he is told, long or short, except wicket-keeper.
11. One who watches, or those who watch, for purposes of guarding and protecting life and property, and the like; esp. before the introduction of the New Police, a watchman or body of watchmen, who patrolled and guarded the streets of a town, proclaimed the hour, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > law enforcement > law-enforcement or peace-officer > [noun] > municipal watchman
wait1418
watchmanc1440
watch1539
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > watching or keeping guard > [noun] > one who watches or keeps guard > municipal watchman > body of
watch1539
warding1548
1539 Cov. Leet Bk. 738 That fromehensfurthe the seriauntes that shall warne the comen watche of this Citie shall furst begyn to warne the said watche at seynt Margettes Chappell.
1571 in R. Renwick Extracts Rec. Royal Burgh of Lanark (1893) 63 The cunsall ordanis the fouir balleis to deill the toun in fouir, and ilke ane of thame nychtly rasave the wache, and put nychtly sufecent wyches to the port.
1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 ii. v. 494 Host. The Sheriffe and al the watch are at the doore, they are come to search the house, shall I let them in? View more context for this quotation
1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing iii. v. 43 Const. Dog. One word sir, our watch sir haue indeede comprehended two aspitious persons. View more context for this quotation
1607 T. Dekker & G. Wilkins Iests to make you Merie 10 A yong man, being taken by a watch in the day time, for an idle fellow, was by a Constable brought before one of the Sheriffes of London, [etc.].
1671 A. Marvell Let. 28 Feb. in Poems & Lett. (1971) II. 133 On..Munday morning at two a clock some persons reported to be of great quality..set upon the Watch & killd a poore beadle.
1681 T. Otway Souldiers Fortune v. i. 66 Enter Constable and Watch. Const... I and my Watch going my morning Rounds, and finding your door open made bold to enter to see there were no danger.
1703 London Gaz. No. 3901/2 A Watch which was posted near that Place..came to his Assistance.
1751 F. Coventry Hist. Pompey the Little i. xiii. 114 Gentlemen, answered the Watch, we are no Rascals, but Servants of His Majesty King George.
1812 Murphy Delany's Feast 12 Hullo! what's all this noise about? To the watch-house you must go, sir. Phelim struck the watch across the nose, And cried out no, no, no, sir.
1838 Bentley's Misc. 3 51 From such neighbours the Cheap could not escape. The watch was generally scanty and always idle, and in the depth of winter the streets were without lights, save [etc.].
1841 C. Dickens Barnaby Rudge xvi. 21 Then there was the watch with staff and lanthorn, crying the hour, and the kind of weather.
1851 D. Jerrold St. Giles & St. James (new ed.) i, in Writings I. 2 The woman, with a piercing shriek, called the watch; but the watch..answered not.
12. A sentinel; also, the body of soldiers constituting the guard of a camp, town, gate of a town, etc. ? Obsolete exc. Historical.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > watching or keeping guard > [noun] > one who watches or keeps guard
warda680
wakemanc1175
wardena1250
watchc1380
watchmana1400
outwatch1488
warderc1540
sentinel1579
perdu1639
sentry1650
lookout1662
security man1662
guardman1756
excubitor1775
cockatoo1827
guardsmana1854
dog1870
society > armed hostility > armed forces > the Army > branch of army > [noun] > guards
watchc1380
guards1682
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > watching or keeping guard > [noun] > one who watches or keeps guard > body of
wardc1000
watchc1380
guarda1513
scout-watch1523
satellitium1616
vigilance1667
wait1704
picket1847
honour guard1851
society > armed hostility > warrior > soldier > soldier with special duty > [noun] > guard > sentry
waitc1325
watchc1380
sentinel1579
century1585
rounder1596
sentry1632
vedette1690
c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 5185 Þan was þar non of al þe wacche þat ys herte ne by-gan to cacche.
a1400–50 Wars Alex. 5215 Sone þe wacchis on þe wallis þam wiȝtly ascryes, Qua þai ware & of quethen & quat was þar errande.
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness l. 1205 Bot er þay at-wappe ne moȝt þe wach wyth-oute, Hiȝe skelt was þe askry þe skewes anvnder.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xvii. 481 Thai set gud wachis to thar wall.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) ix. 375 Thai herd no vachis spek no cry.
a1500 (c1425) Andrew of Wyntoun Oryg. Cron. Scotl. (Nero) iv. 1173 And þat ȝhit Brynnyus wonnynge hade, Had noucht þe goys sic crakynge made Þat waknyt þe wachis [a1550 Wemyss the wache] suddandly.
c1500 Three Kings' Sons (1895) 123 The ladies and gentilwomen..were not wele assured when they herd the belle of the wacche, for the comyng of the Turke.
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 230 Langour wes weche vpoun the wall, That nevir sleipit bot evir wouke.
1539 Bible (Great) Matt. xxvii. 65 Pylate sayde vnto them: Ye haue the watch [Gk. ἔχετε κουστωδίαν]; go your waye, make it as sure as ye can.
1598 R. Barret Theorike & Pract. Mod. Warres ii. 19 It is also his [the Sergeant's] office to set & remoue the watches.
1611 Bible (King James) Matt. xxviii. 11 Behold, some of the watch came into the citie, and shewed vnto the chiefe Priests all the things that were done. View more context for this quotation
c1650 J. Spalding Memorialls Trubles Scotl. & Eng. (1851) II. 475 Schir Johne Hurry..gois throw the Marques of Montross watches, saying, he wes the Lord Gordoun's man.
c1672 F. P. Verney & M. M. Verney Mem. Verney Family 17th Cent. (1907) II. 345 They told me they were the watch sent to stop all Passengers.
1825 W. Scott Betrothed iv, in Tales Crusaders II. 95 ‘Guarine,’ he added, addressing his squire, ‘let the watch be posted, and do thou remain within the tent.’
1844 T. N. Talfourd Athenian Captive III. iii The watch presently will be removed.
13. In the early 18th cent., the designation of certain companies of irregular troops in the Highlands.Black Watch: see black adj. and n. Compounds 1e(a).
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > armed forces > the Army > branch of army > [noun] > irregulars
tumultuary1654
watch1739
irregular1747
campoo1803
pioneer corps1845
harka1903
Legion of Frontiersmen1905
non-regular1909
1739 Lord Lovat Let. 7 Apr. in W. Fraser Chiefs of Grant (1883) II. 380 My dear Frank..is not to stay any time in what you call the Black Watch. I think it is a right name to us, for we are represented very black to our Generall.
1822 D. Stewart Sketches Highlanders Scotl. I. 223 This corps, which has been so well known for nearly eighty years under the appellation of the 42nd Highland Regiment..was originally known by the name of the Reicudan Du, or Black Watch. This was an appellation given to the Independent Companies of which the regiment was formed. It arose from the colour of their dress.
1900 Ld. Roberts Dispatch in Daily News 10 May 4/7 The Black Watch distinguished themselves, and were very skilfully led.
1913 N. Munro New Road (1914) iii. 35 The Highland Watches were considered in some quarters dubious servants of the King.
14. A hill serving as a look-out station. Scottish (? Obsolete except in local names.)
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > defence > action or duty of sentry or picket > [noun] > watch-post > hill
watch hill1560
watch-knoll1645
watch1775
1775 M. J. Armstrong Compan. Map of Peebles 49 Hills are..variously named, according to their magnitude; as..Tor, Watch, Rig.
1806 R. Forsyth Beauties Scotl. III. 114 There are hills in the same parish, called watches, where persons sat in order to give notice on the first approach of an enemy.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > hawking > falconry or hawking equipment > [noun] > lure, etc.
lurec1440
watchc1450
toll1486
train1496
c1450 Bk. Hawking in T. Wright & J. O. Halliwell Reliquiæ Antiquæ (1845) I. 293 And thou wolt take a goshawke, let his wach be a colvour; and yf he falle not there to, put a rabbett.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > indication > signalling > [noun] > signal
tokeningc888
tokena1000
signc1384
watch1578
signal1590
signet1590
tattoo1644
trumpet-note1813
trumpet-call1909
1578 H. Wotton tr. J. Yver Courtlie Controuersie 247 The Englishe lordes hauing giuen the princesse Virginia a watch to linger behinde and step aside [Fr. ayans par vn signal fait escarter de la compagnie la Princesse V.].
III. Nautical uses.
17. in extended use.1908 Daily Chron. 10 Apr. 1/5 This afternoon a batch of telegraphists due on duty refused to attend. The batch then on duty declared that they would go out on strike when their watch ended.
a. [Developed from sense 4] That period of time for which each of the divisions of a ship's company (called ‘watches’: see 18) alternately remains on deck; usually four hours, with the exception of the dog-watches (see dogwatch n.). (One's) watch below, off, the time one is off duty. to be off the watch: to be off duty.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > one who travels by water or sea > sailor > [noun] > crew > watch > period of a watch
watch1585
society > leisure > [verb (intransitive)] > be or come off duty
to be off the watch1848
to stand down1915
society > leisure > [noun] > time off
remedyc1450
intermission?1566
vacancy1599
by-time1609
off-duty1844
watch below, off1850
stand easy1859
off time1866
time off1881
lay-off1889
make and mend1899
laze-off1924
R and R1952
downtime1971
me time1980
1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie i. ii. 2 We about the first watch sayled straight towards the port of Carry.
1624 J. Smith Gen. Hist. Virginia i. 20 When we had run 30. leagues we had 40. fadom, then 70. then 100. After 2. or 3. watches more we were in 24. fadoms.
a1661 W. Brereton Trav. (1844) 4 As the master of the ship conceived we ran seven leagues in a watch, in four hours.
1697 London Gaz. No. 3317/4 In a Watch and a half..they gained so much of us, that we saw no probability of coming up with them.
1781 W. Cowper Retirem. 434 He that on the mainmast head While morning kindles with a windy red, Begins a long look-out for distant land, Nor quits, till ev'ning watch, his giddy stand.
1848 W. A. Ross Yacht Voy. Norway, Denmark & Sweden II. 256 The sailors who were below and off the watch, rose as we entered.
1850 H. Melville White-jacket xxi. 101 At eight o'clock in the morning your watch-below comes round, and you are not liable to duty until noon.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Watch,..the word is also applied to the time during which the watch remains on deck, usually four hours, with the exception of the dog-watches.
1898 R. Kipling Fleet in Being i. 4 I counted seven speeds in one watch, ranging from eight knots to seventeen.
1914 Glasgow Herald 26 Aug. 8 The master was having his watch off, and was lying down amidships.
b. A sailor's turn or period of duty.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > one who travels by water or sea > sailor > [noun] > crew > watch > watch-keeper > turn on duty
watch1725
1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World i. 47 They were a Part of the Men whose Watch it was.
1833 H. Martineau Loom & Lugger i. iii. 26 He stood as fair a chance as a brighter man..of sustaining his six hours' watch to the satisfaction of his officer.
18. in extended use.1889 ‘M. Twain’ Connecticut Yankee xl. 518 Well, he stood watch-and-watch with me, right straight through, for three days and nights, till the child was out of danger.
a. That part, usually one half, of the officers and crew, who together attend to the working of a vessel during a ‘watch’ (see 17). The usual two divisions, port watch (†larboard watch) and starboard watch, are sometimes again divided into two, making four in all.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > one who travels by water or sea > sailor > [noun] > crew > watch
quarter-watch1625
watch1626
1626 J. Smith Accidence Young Sea-men 4 The Corporall is to see to the setting and releeuing the watch.
1626 J. Smith Accidence Young Sea-men 24 Watch bee vigilant to keepe your berth to windward.
a1665 K. Digby Jrnl. Voy. to Mediterranean (1868) 14 It was all that both the watches could do together to tacke about the sailes.
1699 T. Allison Acct. Voy. Archangel 103 We set our Sprit-Sail too, but all the Watch, which were ten Men, were two hours in getting it loose.
1743 J. Bulkeley & J. Cummins Voy. to South-seas 8 I was Officer of the Watch (tho' I was Gunner of the Ship, I had the Charge of a Watch during the whole Voyage).
1769 W. Falconer Universal Dict. Marine (at cited word) To set the watch, is to appoint one division of the crew to enter upon the duty of the watch; as at eight o'clock in the evening. Hence it is equivalent to mounting the guard in the army.
1820 W. Scoresby Acct. Arctic Regions II. 235 Each watch consists of two boats' crews.
1836 F. Marryat Mr. Midshipman Easy II. x. 294 The watch was called as soon as the sails were trimmed.
1840 R. H. Dana Two Years before Mast xiv. 33 Instead of having a watch on deck and a watch below, as at sea, all hands are at work together.
1913 M. Roberts Salt of Sea vii. 181 ‘Any man would scorn to be Tyser's sister's son,’ said the starboard watch.
1913 M. Roberts Salt of Sea vii. 181 ‘The grub's horrid,’ said both watches.
b. watch and watch, the arrangement by which the two halves of a ship's crew take duty alternately every four hours.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > one who travels by water or sea > sailor > [noun] > crew > watch > alternating watches
watch and watch1780
1780 Mirror No. 97 ‘Business,’ cried the Captain, ‘is not oratory business? and why cannot they set to it watch and watch, as we do at sea?’
1813 R. Southey Life Nelson I. 22 He was stationed in the foretop at watch and watch.
1829 F. Marryat Naval Officer II. ii. 42 They were either mast-headed, or put watch and watch.
1850 H. Melville White-jacket xxi. 128 In a man-of-war at sea, the sailors have watch and watch; that is, through every twenty-four hours, they are on and off duty every four hours.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Watch and Watch, the arrangement of the crew in two watches.
IV. A timepiece.† 19. An alarm-clock, or an alarum attached to a clock. Obsolete.The sense in the first example is doubtful, as the Latin rendering is omitted; but on etymological grounds it seems likely that the sense ‘alarum’ is the oldest of the senses of this branch. With the form wecche in quot. c1440 cf. wecche v. (transitive) to awaken.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > instruments for measuring time > clock > [noun] > alarm clock
watchc1440
watch-clock1605
reveille-matin1610
alarm1614
alarm clock1662
larum clock1697
weaver's larum1745
expergefactor1823
watch-alarm1875
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 520/1 Wecche, of a clokke.
1542 in Archæol. Jrnl. 18 142 Item oone Clocke... Item oone Larum or Watch of iron, the case being likewise iron gilt with two plumettes of led.
20. † a. A dial or clock-face; the circle of figures on a dial. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > instruments for measuring time > clock > [noun] > part(s) of > dial or markings on dial
tablea1400
dial1440
watch1588
punctilio1596
dial platea1652
recliner1652
dial piece1658
face1659
horary circle1664
night dial1670
horizontal dial1674
hour-stroke1674
hour-plate1690
clock face1764
niche1822
1588 R. Greene Perimedes sig. G2v Restlesse the clocke that chimes hir fast a sleepe, Disquiet thoughts the minuts of her watch.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II v. v. 52 For now hath time made me his numbring clocke; My thoughts are minutes, and with sighes they iarre, Their watches on vnto mine eyes the outward watch Whereto my finger like a dialles poynt, Is pointing still, in cleansing them from teares. View more context for this quotation
1672 Lostwithiel Rec. in Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS: Var. Coll. (1901) I. 335 For mending the clock there, and for making a watch or dyall uppon the tower of the said Borough.
b. The going-part of a clock. ? Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > instruments for measuring time > clock > [noun] > part(s) of
nut1428
peise1428
plumbc1450
Jack1498
clockwork1516
larum1542
Jack of the clockhouse1563
watch-wheel1568
work1570
plummeta1578
Jack of the clock1581
snail-cam1591
snail-work1591
pointer1596
quarter jack1604
mainspring1605
winder1606
notch-wheel1611
fusee1622
count-wheel1647
jack-wheel1647
frame1658
arbor1659
balance1660
fuse1674
hour-figure1675
stop1675
pallet1676
regulator1676
cock1678
movement1678
detent1688
savage1690
clock1696
pinwheel1696
starred wheel1696
swing-wheel1696
warning-wheel1696
watch1696
watch-part1696
hoop-wheel1704
hour-wheel1704
snail1714
step-wheel1714
tide-work1739
train1751
crutch1753
cannon pinion1764
rising board1769
remontoire1774
escapement1779
clock jack1784
locking plate1786
scapement1789
motion work1795
anchor escapement1798
scape1798
star-wheel1798
recoil escapement1800
recoiling pallet1801
recoiling scapement1801
cannon1802
hammer-tail1805
recoiling escapement1805
bottle jack1810
renovating spring1812
quarter-boy1815
pin tooth1817
solar wheel1819
impulse-teeth1825
pendulum wheel1825
pallet arbor1826
rewinder1826
rack hook1829
snail-wheel1831
quarter bell1832
tow1834
star pulley1836
watch train1838
clock train1843
raising-piece1843
wheelwork1843
gravity escapement1850
jumper1850
vertical escapement1850
time train1853
pin pallet1860
spade1862
dead well1867
stop-work1869
ringer1873
strike-or-silent1875
warning-piece1875
guard-pin1879
pendulum cock1881
warning-lever1881
beat-pin1883
fusee-piece1884
fusee-snail1884
shutter1884
tourbillion1884
tumbler1884
virgule1884
foliot1899
grasshopper1899
grasshopper escapement1899
trunk1899
pin lever1908
clock spring1933
1696 W. Derham Artific. Clock-maker i. 3 The parts of a Movement, which I shall consider, are the Watch, and Clock. The Watch-part of a Movement is that which serveth to the measuring the hours. In which the first thing I shall consider is the Ballance.
1815 J. Smith Panorama Sci. & Art I. 376 The profile of the watch or going part of a clock is shown by fig. 1, pl. VI.
21.
a. A small time-piece; originally one with a spring-driven movement, and of a size to be carried in the pocket; now also frequently, a wrist-watch (spring- or battery-driven).The occasional occurrence of the term pocket-watch (see quot. ?1705 below) suggests that the word was sometimes applied to spring-driven clocks of larger size. From the beginning of the 17th cent. ‘watches’ (from the context clearly pocket watches) are often spoken of as striking.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > instruments for measuring time > watch > [noun]
clock1559
pocket watch?1576
watch1590
munter1594
tattler1688
loge1699
yack1789
thimble1819
ticker1821
toy1826
super1857
kettle1889
1590 R. Harvey Plaine Percevall sig. D4v Surrender vp thy watch though it were gold.
1592 R. Greene Thirde Pt. Conny-catching sig. E2v He reported his freend had lost a watch of golde: shewing how closely his freende wore it in his bosome.
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost iii. i. 187 A woman that is like a Iermane Cloake, Still a repairing: euer out of frame, And neuer going a right, being a Watch: But being watcht, that it may still go right.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) ii. i. 13 Looke, hee's winding vp the watch of his wit, By and by it will strike. View more context for this quotation
1631 B. Jonson Staple of Newes i. i. 11 in Wks. II He drawes foorth his watch, and sets it on the Table. 't strikes! One, two, Three, foure, fiue, six. Inough, inough, deare watch.
c1633 in F. P. Verney & M. M. Verney Mem. Verney Family 17th Cent. (1907) I. 147 The gold watch sett with Turkies.
1651 Bp. J. Taylor Rule of Holy Dying (1676) i. §3 22 While he told the sands of his hour-glass, or the throbs and little beatings of his Watch.
1652 in 10th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1885) App. i. 38 A verie prettie vatche of an agat, with ane case of silver.
c1657 in F. P. Verney & M. M. Verney Mem. Verney Family 17th Cent. (1907) II. 135 A plain sillvor woch... I have it merely to know how the time goes away.
1662 J. Davies tr. A. Olearius Voy. & Trav. Ambassadors 270 A gilt brass Candlestick, that had thirty branches, having a striking Watch within the Body of it.
1662 S. Patrick Brief Acct. Latitude-men 16 There are also imperfect Clocks called Watches that do not strike, but onely have a Dyall with a hand turning round.
1688 R. Stapley Diary in Sussex Archaeol. Coll. (1849) 2 113 July 12th, bought..a silver-cased watch, wch cost me 3 li... This watch shewes ye hour of ye day, ye day of ye month, ye months of ye year, ye age of ye moon, and ye ebbing and flowing of ye water; and will goe 30 hours with once winding up.
1705 W. Derham in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eminent Literary Men (1843) (Camden) 317 Whether the vacuum affected the going of a pocket-watch.
?1705 E. Hickeringill Vindic. Char. Priest-craft 6 Pocket your Watch, and Watch your Pockets.
1706 Phillips's New World of Words (new ed.) Watch,..a Pocket-clock for the measuring of Time.
1751 F. Coventry Hist. Pompey the Little i. iv. 37 Lady Tempest, looking at her Watch, declared it was time to be going.
1784 S. Johnson Let. 21 Aug. (1994) IV. 379 Dictionaries are like watches, the worst is better than none, and the best cannot be expected to go quite true.
1837 L. Hebert Engin. & Mech. Encycl. I. 683 The essential difference between clocks and watches consists in the nature of the regulator employed; which in clocks is the pendulum, and in watches the balance wheel.
1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop ii. xlvi. 50 The doctor..drew out his watch, and felt her pulse.
1879 W. Thomson & P. G. Tait Treat. Nat. Philos. (new ed.) I: Pt. i. §414 A Clock is primarily an instrument which, by means of a train of wheels, records the number of vibrations executed by a pendulum; a Chronometer or Watch performs the same duty for the oscillations of a flat spiral spring.
b. Applied to a pocket time-piece regulated otherwise than by a balance-wheel and hair-spring.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > instruments for measuring time > watch > [noun] > particular types of watch
German watch1611
larum watch1619
clock-watch1625
minute watch1660
pendulum watch1664
watch1666
alarm watch1669
finger watch1679
string-watch1686
scout1688
balance-watch1690
hour-watch1697
warming-pan1699
minute pendulum watch1705
jewel watch1711
suit1718
repeater1725
Tompion1727
pendulum spring1728
second-watch1755
Geneva watch1756
cylinder-watch1765
watch-paper1777
ring watch1788
verge watch1792
watch lamp1823
hack1827
bull's-eye1833
vertical watch1838
quarter-repeater1840
turnip1840
hunting-watch1843
minute repeater1843
hunter1851
job watch1851
Geneva1852
watch-lining1856
touch watch1860
musical watch1864
lever1865
neep1866
verge1871
independent seconds watch1875
stem-winder1875
demi-hunter1884
fob-watch1884
three-quarter plate1884
wrist-watch1897
turnip-watch1898
sedan-chair watch1904
Rolex1922
Tank watch1923
strap watch1926
chatelaine watch1936
sedan clock1950
quartz watch1969
pulsar1970
1666 J. Hooke Minute 18 Apr. (Hooke Folio Online) 51 There was produced by mr. Hooke a new kind of watch whose motion is Regulated by a Loadstone the ballance of it being a rod of steel.
1667 T. Sprat Hist. Royal-Soc. 247 Several new kinds of Pendulum Watches for the Pocket, wherein the motion is regulated, by Springs, or Weights, or Loadstones, or Flies moving very exactly regular.
1696 W. Derham Artific. Clock-maker viii. 98 Of the Invention of those Pocket-Watches, commonly called Pendulum Watches.
c. A chronometer as used on board ship.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > instruments for measuring time > [noun] > chronometer
longitude1665
longitude watch1670
chronometer1714
sea-watch1768
watch1778
box chronometer1789
oligochronometer1857
1778 R. Waddington Sea Officer's Comp. 7 Suppose the alt. of the sun taken at 8h. 12′ a.m. by the watch.
1794 J. H. Moore New Pract. Navigator (ed. 10) 216 Suppose a ship at sea in lat. 47° 34′ N. by account, at 9H. 55M. 30S. by watch.
1816 J. K. Tuckey Narr. Exped. River Zaire (1818) ii. 51 Our chronometers gave the longitude of the north end of Prince's island 7°... The same watch makes the N.W. point of St. Thomas in 6° 31′, [etc.].
d. A mechanism with rotating hands or pointers which move at any fixed ratio of speed.Apparently an isolated use.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > parts of machines > mechanism > [noun] > other specific mechanisms
stop?1523
clockwork1652
sector1715
rackwork1755
scapement1789
scape1798
safety catch1827
controller1836
dog1840
Geneva stop1841
Maltese cross1852
throw-off1852
gearhead1869
tripper1870
Scotch yoke1880
Geneva movement1881
belt-tightener1882
watch1882
selector1890
Geneva wheel1891
throw-out1894
Geneva motion1897
horse-geara1899
Geneva mechanism1903
safety catch1904
Geneva drive1913
Geneva1919
Possum1961
1882 G. M. Minchin Uniplanar Kinematics 95 AB and AC may then be simply two hands of a ‘Watch’ whose mechanism is at A, such that the angle turned through by the hand AC is always three times the angle turned through by the hand.
e. silly (or crazy) as a two-bob watch: extremely stupid, mad. Australian slang.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > stupidity, dullness of intellect > [adjective]
sloweOE
stuntc960
dullOE
hardOE
stuntlyc1000
sotc1050
dillc1175
dulta1225
simplea1325
heavy1340
astonedc1374
sheepishc1380
dull-witteda1387
lourd1390
steerishc1411
ass-likea1425
brainless?a1439
deafc1440
sluggishc1450
short-witted1477
obtuse1509
peakish1519
wearish1519
deaf, or dumb as a beetle1520
doileda1522
gross1526
headlessa1530
stulty1532
ass-headed1533
pot-headed1533
stupid?1541
sheep's head1542
doltish1543
dumpish1545
assish1548
blockish1548
slow-witted1548
blockheaded1549
surd1551
dull-headed1552
hammer-headed1552
skit-brained?1553
buzzardly1561
witless1562
log-headeda1566
assy1566
sottish1566
dastardly1567
stupidious1567
beetle-headed1570
calvish1570
bluntish1578
cod's-headed1578
grout-headed1578
bedaft1579
dull-pated1580
blate1581
buzzard-like1581
long-eared1582
dullard1583
woodena1586
duncical1588
leaden-headed1589
buzzard1592
dorbellical1592
dunstical1592
heavy-headeda1593
shallow-brained1592
blunt-witted1594
mossy1597
Bœotian1598
clay-brained1598
fat1598
fat-witted1598
knotty-pated1598
stupidous1598
wit-lost1599
barren1600
duncifiedc1600
lourdish1600
stockish1600
thick1600
booby1603
leaden-pated1603
partless1603
thin-headed1603
leaden-skulledc1604
blockhead1606
frost-brained1606
ram-headed1608
beef-witted1609
insulse1609
leaden-spirited1609
asininec1610
clumse1611
blockheadly1612
wattle-headed1613
flata1616
logger-headeda1616
puppy-headeda1616
shallow-patedc1616
thick-brained1619
half-headed1621
buzzard-blinda1625
beef-brained1628
toom-headed1629
thick-witted1634
woollen-witted1635
squirrel-headed1637
clod-pated1639
lean-souled1639
muddy-headed1642
leaden-witteda1645
as sad as any mallet1645
under-headed1646
fat-headed1647
half-witted1647
insipid1651
insulsate1652
soft-headed1653
thick-skulleda1657
muddish1658
non-intelligent1659
whey-brained1660
sap-headed1665
timber-headed1666
leather-headeda1668
out of (one's) tree1669
boobily1673
thoughtless1673
lourdly1674
logger1675
unintelligenta1676
Bœotic1678
chicken-brained1678
under-witted1683
loggerhead1684
dunderheaded1692
unintelligible1694
buffle-headed1697
crassicc1700
numbskulled1707
crassous1708
doddy-polled1708
haggis-headed1715
niddy-noddy1722
muzzy1723
pudding-headed1726
sumphish1728
pitcher-souleda1739
duncey1743
hebete1743
chuckheaded1756
dumb1756
duncely1757
imbecile1766
mutton-headed1768
chuckle-headed1770
jobbernowl1770
dowfarta1774
boobyish1778
wittol1780
staumrel1787
opaquec1789
stoopid1791
mud-headed1793
borné1795
muzzy-headed1798
nog-headed1800
thick-headed1801
gypit1804
duncish1805
lightweight1809
numbskull1814
tup-headed1816
chuckle-pate1820
unintellectuala1821
dense1822
ninnyish1822
dunch1825
fozy1825
potato-headed1826
beef-headed1828
donkeyish1831
blockheadish1833
pinheaded1837
squirrel-minded1837
pumpkin-headed1838
tomfoolish1838
dundering1840
chicken-headed1842
like a bump on a log1842
ninny-minded1849
numbheadeda1852
nincompoopish1852
suet-brained1852
dolly1853
mullet-headed1853
sodden1853
fiddle-headed1854
numb1854
bovine1855
logy1859
crass1861
unsmart1861
off his chump1864
wooden-headed1865
stupe1866
lean-minded1867
duffing1869
cretinous1871
doddering1871
thick-head1873
doddling1874
stupido1879
boneheaded1883
woolly-headed1883
leaden-natured1889
suet-headed1890
sam-sodden1891
dopey1896
turnip-headed1898
bonehead1903
wool-witted1905
peanut-headed1906
peanut-brained1907
dilly1909
torpid-minded1909
retardate1912
nitwitted1917
meat-headed1918
mug1922
cloth-headed1925
loopy1925
nitwit1928
lame-brained1929
dead from the neck up1930
simpy1932
nail-headed1936
square-headed1936
dingbats1937
pinhead1939
dim-witted1940
pea-brained1942
clueless1943
lobotomized1943
retarded1949
pointy-headed1950
clottish1952
like a stunned mullet1953
silly (or crazy) as a two-bob watch1954
out to lunch1955
pin-brained1958
dozy1959
eejity1964
out of one's tiny mind1965
doofus1967
twitty1967
twittish1969
twatty1975
twattish1976
blur1977
dof1979
goofus1981
dickheaded1991
dickish1991
numpty1992
cockish1996
1954 P. Gladwin Long Beat Home 72 There now, I clean forgot. I'm getting silly as a two-bob watch.
1963 L. Glassop Rats in New Guinea 192 Crazy as a two-bob watch. Should have reported it, corporal.
1972 J. de Hoog Skid Row Dossier 75 ‘Don't buy him a beer, Johnny, he's silly as a two bob watch’, someone advised as he tapped me on the shoulder.
22. A trial-piece of glass, pottery, copper, etc. put in a furnace and taken out again, to enable the workman to judge of the degree of heating and the condition of the material operated on. [Apparently a mistranslation of French montre, in this application used in the sense of show-piece ( < montrer to show), but commonly meaning a watch (timepiece).]
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > furnace or kiln > [noun] > part of
watch1606
fire door1765
fire bag1796
watch-ball1839
ring wall1863
1606 H. Peacham Art of Drawing 69 Lay with every bed of your wrought and drawn glass one of the said pieces, which are called watches.
1839 A. Ure Dict. Arts 330 A small proof of copper, of the form of a watch-case, and therefore called montre, is taken out from time to time.
1839 A. Ure Dict. Arts 1016 Pyrometric balls of red clay..are employed in the English potteries to ascertain the temperature of the glaze kilns... The glazer provides himself at each round with a stock of these ball watches.
23. U.S. (See quot. 1891.)
ΚΠ
1891 Cent. Dict. at Watch 9. pl. A name of the trumpet~leaf, Sarracenia flava, probably alluding to the resemblance of the flowers to watches.
24. Cant. his (also her, my) watch: = Himself, herself, myself. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > [noun] > individuality or selfhood > self > one's, etc., self
myselfeOE
onec1175
persona1382
ownselfa1400
personage1531
his (also her, my) watch?1536
manself1880
his jills1906
ass1916
fanny1916
?1536 R. Copland Hye Way to Spyttell Hous sig. Eiijv The patryng coue in the darkman cace Docked the dell for a coper meke His Watch shall feng a prounces nobchete.
1567 T. Harman Caueat for Commen Cursetors (new ed.) sig. Eii This harlot..had an vpright man or two alwayes attendinge on her watche (whyche is on her parson).
1567 T. Harman Caueat for Commen Cursetors (new ed.) Peddelars Frenche sig. Giiii That is beneshyp to oure watche.
1612 T. Dekker Canting Song in O per se O sig. O1v I met a Dell, I viewde her well, she was benship to my watch.
VI. A hole or gap in the ice.
25. dialect. = wake n.2 6.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > water > ice > body of ice > [noun] > hole or unfrozen place in
aglu1835
watch1892
seal-hole1895
wake1895
1892 Pictorial World 23 Apr. 733/2 They are feeding in one of the little pieces of open water—‘watches’ they are called—where the springs are strong, and the fowl keep the water moving.
Compounds
C1. simple attributive.
a. (In sense 6.)
watch temple n.
ΚΠ
1921 D. H. Lawrence Sea & Sardinia ii. 66 Venus of the aborigines, from her watch-temple looking at Africa.
b. (In sense 21.)
watch-back n.
ΚΠ
1894 A. H. Church J. Wedgwood x. 76 Watch-backs,..for which Wedgwood employed with success his beautiful jasper paste.
watch-band n.
ΚΠ
1924 Sears, Roebuck Catal. 410/1 Watch-band, woven wire. For watches.
1970 N. Armstrong et al. First on Moon iii. 64 I found the little card..and stuck it under his watchband.
watch-barrel n. (see barrel n. 5b).
ΚΠ
1858 P. L. Simmonds Dict. Trade Products Watch-barrel.
watch bow n. (see bow n.1 11a).
ΚΠ
1884 F. J. Britten Watch & Clockmakers' Handbk. (new ed.) 284 Watch Bow, the round ring of a watch case to which the guard is attached.
watch cock n. (see cock n.1 19).
ΚΠ
1899 F. J. Britten Old Clocks & Watches 346 Watch Cocks. The first of the cocks or brackets used to support one end of the balance staff were probably quite plain.
watch-dial n. (see dial n.1 3a).
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > instruments for measuring time > watch > [noun] > parts of
barrel1591
motion1605
bezel1616
fusee1622
string1638
crown wheel1646
out-case1651
watch-box1656
nuck1664
watchwork1667
balance-wheel1669
box1675
dial wheel1675
counter-potence1678
pendulum-balance1680
watch-case1681
pillar1684
contrate teeth1696
pinion of report1696
watch-hook1698
bob-balance1701
half-cock1701
potence1704
verge1704
pad1705
movable1709
jewel1711
pendant1721
crystal1722
watch-key1723
pendulum spring1728
lock spring1741
watch-glass1742
watch-spring1761
all-or-nothing piece1764
watch hand1764
cylinder1765
cannon?1780
cannon1802
stackfreed1819
pillar plate1821
little hand1829
hair-spring1830
lunette1832
all-or-nothing1843
locking1851
slag1857
staff1860
case spring1866
stem1866
balance-cock1874
watch-dial1875
balance-spring1881
balance-staff1881
Breguet spring1881
overcoil1881
surprise-piece1881
brass edge1884
button turn1884
fourth wheel1884
fusee-sink1884
pair-case1884
silver bar1884
silver piece1884
slang1884
top plate1884
karrusel1893
watch-face1893
watch bracelet1896
bar-movement1903
jewel pivot1907
jewel bearing1954
1875 E. H. Knight Amer. Mech. Dict. III. 2733/2 Watch-dials are usually made of thin sheet-copper.
1899 F. J. Britten Old Clocks & Watches 120 Decoration in enamel is sometimes to be found on watch dials..produced during the early part of the seventeenth century.
watch-face n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > instruments for measuring time > watch > [noun] > parts of
barrel1591
motion1605
bezel1616
fusee1622
string1638
crown wheel1646
out-case1651
watch-box1656
nuck1664
watchwork1667
balance-wheel1669
box1675
dial wheel1675
counter-potence1678
pendulum-balance1680
watch-case1681
pillar1684
contrate teeth1696
pinion of report1696
watch-hook1698
bob-balance1701
half-cock1701
potence1704
verge1704
pad1705
movable1709
jewel1711
pendant1721
crystal1722
watch-key1723
pendulum spring1728
lock spring1741
watch-glass1742
watch-spring1761
all-or-nothing piece1764
watch hand1764
cylinder1765
cannon?1780
cannon1802
stackfreed1819
pillar plate1821
little hand1829
hair-spring1830
lunette1832
all-or-nothing1843
locking1851
slag1857
staff1860
case spring1866
stem1866
balance-cock1874
watch-dial1875
balance-spring1881
balance-staff1881
Breguet spring1881
overcoil1881
surprise-piece1881
brass edge1884
button turn1884
fourth wheel1884
fusee-sink1884
pair-case1884
silver bar1884
silver piece1884
slang1884
top plate1884
karrusel1893
watch-face1893
watch bracelet1896
bar-movement1903
jewel pivot1907
jewel bearing1954
1893 Scribner's Mag. June 725/1 He felt for his matches and struck one to look at his watch-face.
watch-holder n.
ΚΠ
1915 R. Kipling Diversity of Creatures (1917) 410 Your watch also [is] in the coralline watch-holder.
watch-key n. (also attributive).
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > instruments for measuring time > watch > [noun] > parts of
barrel1591
motion1605
bezel1616
fusee1622
string1638
crown wheel1646
out-case1651
watch-box1656
nuck1664
watchwork1667
balance-wheel1669
box1675
dial wheel1675
counter-potence1678
pendulum-balance1680
watch-case1681
pillar1684
contrate teeth1696
pinion of report1696
watch-hook1698
bob-balance1701
half-cock1701
potence1704
verge1704
pad1705
movable1709
jewel1711
pendant1721
crystal1722
watch-key1723
pendulum spring1728
lock spring1741
watch-glass1742
watch-spring1761
all-or-nothing piece1764
watch hand1764
cylinder1765
cannon?1780
cannon1802
stackfreed1819
pillar plate1821
little hand1829
hair-spring1830
lunette1832
all-or-nothing1843
locking1851
slag1857
staff1860
case spring1866
stem1866
balance-cock1874
watch-dial1875
balance-spring1881
balance-staff1881
Breguet spring1881
overcoil1881
surprise-piece1881
brass edge1884
button turn1884
fourth wheel1884
fusee-sink1884
pair-case1884
silver bar1884
silver piece1884
slang1884
top plate1884
karrusel1893
watch-face1893
watch bracelet1896
bar-movement1903
jewel pivot1907
jewel bearing1954
1723 London Gaz. No. 6189/4 Watch Key-maker.
1743 Pennsylvania Gaz. 8 Sept. 3/3 (advt.) Just imported... Watch keys and strings, snuff and snuff boxes.
1840 T. Hood Up Rhine 102 A..watch-key in the shape of a pistol.
watch-movement n. (see movement n. 3a).
ΚΠ
1795 J. Aikin Descr. Country round Manch. 311 They make watch-movements.
1884 F. J. Britten Watch & Clockmakers' Handbk. (new ed.) 284 Watch Movement, the plates with the wheels and pinions composing the train.
watch pendant n. (see pendant n. 9a).
ΚΠ
1884 F. J. Britten Watch & Clockmakers' Handbk. (new ed.) 286 Watch Pendant, the little neck of metal connecting the bow to the band of a watch case.
watch pendulum-wire n.
ΚΠ
1849 H. M. Noad Lect. Electr. (ed. 3) 65 The finest flattened steel, sold at the watchmakers' tool shops, under the name of watch pendulum-wire.
watch pillar n. (see pillar n. 11).
ΚΠ
1899 F. J. Britten Old Clocks & Watches 348 Watch Pillars..are now universally made of a plain cylindrical form.
watch-strap n.
ΚΠ
1925 Watchmaker, Jeweler, Silversmith & Optician LI. 138 (advt.) The finest range of watch straps.
1977 P. Theroux Consul's File 126 The woman [was] covered with welts the shape of watch-straps.
C2. Special combinations watch-bell n., watch-bill n.1, watch-box n., watch-case n., watch-clock n., watchdog n., watch-glass n., etc.† watch-birth n. Obsolete ? a literary work brought to birth by watching.Apparently an isolated use.† watch-cobbler n. Obsolete ? a mender of watches.† watch George n. Obsolete ? a George (George n. 1b) in the form of a watch.† watch hour n. Obsolete the hour for sounding the watch.† watch-knoll n. (also Scottishwatch-know) Obsolete = sense 14; cf. watch hill n.† watch-mail n. (also watch-meal) Scottish Obsolete ‘a duty imposed for maintaining a garrison’ (Jamieson).† watch-master n. Obsolete (see quot.).† watch-meal n. Obsolete (see watch-mail n.).† watch money n. Obsolete a sum of money paid for watching.† watch-star n. Obsolete = guard n. 12.† watch-wright n. Obsolete a watchmaker.
watch-alarm n. (see quot.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > instruments for measuring time > clock > [noun] > alarm clock
watchc1440
watch-clock1605
reveille-matin1610
alarm1614
alarm clock1662
larum clock1697
weaver's larum1745
expergefactor1823
watch-alarm1875
1875 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. Watch-alarm, an instrument with going works to sound an alarm at a specified period.
watch-ball n. a ball of clay used to test the temperature of a glaze kiln (see sense 22 above).
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > furnace or kiln > [noun] > part of
watch1606
fire door1765
fire bag1796
watch-ball1839
ring wall1863
1839 A. Ure Dict. Arts 1016 The watch-balls of these first rounds have generally not so deep a colour as if they were tried in a furnace three or four months old.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > a written composition > [noun] > regarded as the result of labour
travailc1350
watch-birth1606
opera1785
opus1808
oeuvre1889
1606 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) ii. iv. 74 Th' eternall Watch-births of thy [sc. Solomon's] sacred Wit [i.e. his three books: Fr. De ton diuin esprit les veilles eternelles].
watch-boat n. a boat on patrol duty.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > war vessel > [noun] > look-out or reconnaissance vessel
spy-boat1637
guard-ship1689
station ship1693
scout-ship1694
guard-boat1696
scout1706
lookout1761
lookout ship1762
watch-boat1789
patrol boat1854
spy-ship1858
picket boat1861
picket launch1864
scout vessel1869
vedette boat1884
picket ship1898
coastal1912
P boat1917
spotter1931
radar picket1945
1789 T. Anburey Trav. Interior Parts Amer. I. 303 We are now within sight of the enemy, and their watch-boats are continually rowing about.
1892 C. R. B. Barrett Essex Highways iii. 50 The Henrietta [pinnace] was at that time [c1664] acting as watch-boat, and there are many references to its ‘staying’ boats that had used trawls.
1910 Times 13 Oct. 14/3 He was hailed by an Icelandic watchboat. The watchboat interrupted their fishing, and finally steamed alongside.
watch bracelet n. a bracelet fitted with a small watch.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > instruments for measuring time > watch > [noun] > parts of
barrel1591
motion1605
bezel1616
fusee1622
string1638
crown wheel1646
out-case1651
watch-box1656
nuck1664
watchwork1667
balance-wheel1669
box1675
dial wheel1675
counter-potence1678
pendulum-balance1680
watch-case1681
pillar1684
contrate teeth1696
pinion of report1696
watch-hook1698
bob-balance1701
half-cock1701
potence1704
verge1704
pad1705
movable1709
jewel1711
pendant1721
crystal1722
watch-key1723
pendulum spring1728
lock spring1741
watch-glass1742
watch-spring1761
all-or-nothing piece1764
watch hand1764
cylinder1765
cannon?1780
cannon1802
stackfreed1819
pillar plate1821
little hand1829
hair-spring1830
lunette1832
all-or-nothing1843
locking1851
slag1857
staff1860
case spring1866
stem1866
balance-cock1874
watch-dial1875
balance-spring1881
balance-staff1881
Breguet spring1881
overcoil1881
surprise-piece1881
brass edge1884
button turn1884
fourth wheel1884
fusee-sink1884
pair-case1884
silver bar1884
silver piece1884
slang1884
top plate1884
karrusel1893
watch-face1893
watch bracelet1896
bar-movement1903
jewel pivot1907
jewel bearing1954
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > types of ornamentation > jewellery > arm or leg ornament > [noun] > bracelet or armlet > fitted with a watch
watch bracelet1896
1896 Godey's Mag. Apr. 449/1 The watch bracelet, with its setting of substantial leather, is a convenient adjunct to the cycler.
watch-candle n. a candle used for night-watching, a watching candle.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > artificial light > an artificial light > candle > [noun] > for keeping watch
watching candle1526
watch-candle1601
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. xvi. xxxvii. 485 Rushes..the pith where~of..maketh wieke for watch-candles, and funerall lights.
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning i. sig. F1v For were it not better for a man in a faire roome, to set vp one great light,..than to goe about with a small watch candle into euerie corner? View more context for this quotation
a1711 T. Ken Anodynes in Wks. (1721) III. 421 As in the Night I restless lie, I the Watch-Candle keep in Eye.
watch cap n. (see quot. 1909).
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > headgear > [noun] > cap > types of > denoting office or profession > military
Monmouth cap1577
watering cap1746
muff-cap1809
shako1816
chaco1826
forage-cap1827
foraging-cap1830
bearskin1843
field cap1845
kepi1861
busby1870
czako1891
forager1891
Brodrick1905
watch cap1909
gorblimey1919
split-arse cap1931
beret1948
piss-cutter1949
1909 Webster's New Internat. Dict. Eng. Lang. Watch cap, a knitted close-fitting navy blue cap worn by enlisted men in the United States navy in cold or storm.
1966 T. Pynchon Crying of Lot 49 v. 114 He opened his door and found an aged bum with a knitted watch cap on his head.
1977 J. F. Fixx Compl. Bk. Running xii. 139 What I've found best is a simple wool hat, the kind sailors call a watch cap.
1984 New Yorker 31 Dec. 64/3 Bearded young fishermen, with ponytails coming out from beneath their knitted watch caps.
watch-care n. U.S. watchful care.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > watching or keeping guard > [noun]
holda1100
witiing13..
keepinga1425
ampare1587
guard1596
warding1633
advigilation1663
watch-care1845
wardening1962
watchdogging1962
1845 Indiana Mag. Hist. (1927) XXIII. 152 Very much..depends on the..preachers and leaders, who have the after watch-care of the persons that are brought into the church.
1896 Paterson Mag. (U.S.) VI. 253/1 The years of watch-care which she had given to the child left in her charge.
1908 D. S. Mackay Relig. of Threshold i. 27 The faith of this man lays hold of God's watch-care in these two extremes of the day.
watch-chain n. a metal chain used as a watch-guard.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > types of ornamentation > jewellery > watch-guard > [noun]
watch-chain1739
watch-string1745
watch-riband1804
watch-guard1836
Albert chain1845
Albert watch chain1845
Albert1850
watch fob1866
fob-chain1885
fob1889
1739 Act 12 Geo. II c. 26 §13 For assaying..Gold Hooks for Watch Chains, ten Pence apiece.
1796 F. Burney Camilla I. ii. v. 249 Sir Sedley smiled, and played with his watch chain.
1836 C. Dickens Sketches by Boz 2nd Ser. 236 The immensely long waistcoat, and silver watch chain dangling below it.
watch-chained adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > types of ornamentation > jewellery > watch-guard > [adjective] > having watch-chain
watch-chained1944
1944 E. Blunden Cricket Country i. 12 One or two watch-chained elders.
1976 ‘R. Gordon’ Doctor on Job xi. 93 Frock-coated and gold watch-chained.
watch-charm n. U.S. a small ornament that may hang from a watch-chain.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > types of ornamentation > jewellery > jewellery of specific shape or form > [noun] > pendant > fastened to a watch-chain or girdle
watch-seal1798
onion1811
seal1836
chatelaine1851
breloque1856
charm1865
watch-charm1898
1898 H. S. Canfield Maid of Frontier 15 [How's] the little baby I gave the watch-charm to?
1929 W. Faulkner Sound & Fury 99 Father brought back a watch-charm from the Saint Louis Fair.
1979 Arizona Daily Star 1 Apr. c4/2 His uniform number and watch-charm size aren't the only distinctive things.
watch-cloak n. a thick, heavy cloak or coat worn by seamen, soldiers, or watchmen when on duty in bad weather.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > clothing for body or trunk (and limbs) > [noun] > loose clothing > cloak, mantle, or cape > types of > for specific purpose
masque1577
mourning cloak1610
coach-cloak1705
domino1719
rochet1728
watch-cloak1814
opera cloak1836
railway wrapper1846
duster1864
sortie de bal1864
dust-cloak1883
Venetian1891
gas cape1940
1814 W. Scott Diary 18 Aug. in J. G. Lockhart Mem. Life Scott (1837) III. vi. 207 Duff and I sit upon deck, like two great bears, wrapt in watch-cloaks.
1825 W. Scott Betrothed xiv, in Tales Crusaders I. 269 Enveloping himself in his long chappe, or military watch-cloak, he [sc. the Norman soldier] withdrew.
watch-coat n. = watch-cloak n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > clothing for body or trunk (and limbs) > [noun] > coat > types of > for specific purpose > wearing when on watch
watch-coat?1704
Magellanic jacket1772
Magellan jacket1867
?1704 in Alice M. Earle Two Cent. Costume Amer. (1903) II. 407 A White Cape~cloth Watch-coat.
1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 158 There were also several thick Watch Coats of the Seamens,..but they were too hot to wear.
1827 E. Mackenzie Descr. & Hist. Acct. Newcastle II. 726 Each watchman is provided with a warm watch-coat, a lanthorn, a rattle.
1847 C. Dickens Dombey & Son (1848) xlviii. 477 The Captain..laid her down, and covered her with a great watch-coat.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > instruments for measuring time > watch > [noun] > making watches > one who makes, fixes, or regulates
watchmaker1630
watch-wright1674
watch-cobbler1756
springer1769
timer1876
watch jeweller1884
watch-jobber1895
1756 W. Toldervy Hist. Two Orphans I. 177 ‘I'll warrant ye (said a shrewd lawyer, though not Foxer) this Roebuck left his colours for no good.’ ‘Good! ha,’ cried a great greasy watch-cobler, ‘'tis my belief that he was reduced for cowardice.’
watch committee n. Historical the committee of a county borough council which dealt with all matters pertaining to the policing and public lighting of the borough.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > rule or government > ruler or governor > deliberative, legislative, or administrative assembly > types of body or spec. bodies > [noun] > committee > other types of committee
committee1571
council of war1590
special committee1606
standing committeea1632
Committee of Safety1642
working party1744
finance committee1783
Board (also Court) of county commissioners1806
business committee1825
national committee1826
watch committee1835
working group1888
Central Committee1917
action committee1918
action group1927
ombuds-committee1964
PESC1969
1835 Act 5 & 6 William IV c. 76 §76 The Council..shall..appoint..a sufficient Number of their own Body, who, together with the Mayor..shall be and be called the Watch Committee for such Borough.
1884 Encycl. Brit. XVII. 28/1 The mayor..is ex officio a magistrate for the borough and a member of the watch committee.
watch-fire n. a fire maintained during the night as a signal, or for the use of a sentinel, party or person on watch.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > indication > signalling > visual signalling > luminous signals > [noun] > fire signal > type of
fire pike1483
watch-fire1801
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > burning > a fire > [noun] > a kind of fire > fire for one keeping watch
wake-firec1450
watch-fire1801
1801 W. Scott Glenfinlas in M. G. Lewis Tales of Wonder I. 130 And by the watch-fire's glimmering light,..was seen An huntress maid.
1814 Ld. Byron Corsair i. ii. 3 Such were the notes that from the Pirate's isle, Around the kindling watch-fire rang the while.
1867 M. E. Herbert Cradle Lands viii. 215 Watch-fires were lit round the encampment.
watch-free adj. free from the duty of watching or keeping guard.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > [adjective] > at or having leisure > having time off
watch-free1581
off1826
sabbatical1836
off duty1852
spare1919
1581 T. Styward Pathwaie to Martiall Discipline i. 30 The which..except in great extremitie shall be watch free.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > types of ornamentation > jewellery > [noun] > piece or article of > specific
regal of Francec1440
George1506
watch George1614
1614 in Archaeologia (1869) 42 350 Item a watche George.
watch-guard n. a chain, cord, ribbon, or the like used to secure a watch when it is worn on the person.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > types of ornamentation > jewellery > watch-guard > [noun]
watch-chain1739
watch-string1745
watch-riband1804
watch-guard1836
Albert chain1845
Albert watch chain1845
Albert1850
watch fob1866
fob-chain1885
fob1889
1836 C. Dickens Sketches by Boz 1st Ser. II. 277 Miss Emily Taunton was making a watch-guard.
1839 C. Dickens Nicholas Nickleby ii. 5 The dark-complexioned men who wear large rings, and heavy watch-guards.
watch-gun n. †(a) a spring gun used as guard against trespassers; (b) Nautical (see quot. 1815).
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > hostilities at sea > naval weapons and equipment > [noun] > ship's guns collectively > watch-gun
watch-gun1769
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > device for discharging missiles > firearm > [noun] > type of firearm > spring- or trap-gun
watch-gun1769
spring gun1772
trap-gun1964
1769 Ann. Reg. 1768 106 A maid-servant at Paddington was accidentally shot by a watch-gun, which was usually set by the family as a defence against rogues.
1772 Regul. H.M. Service at Sea 9 Captains are forbid to fire the Watch-Gun in any Port..unless there be at least Five of H.M. Ships in Company.
1798 Ld. Nelson in Dispatches & Lett. (1845) III. 132 The Marquis fired a shot from his morning-gun into the Town... I fire no watch-gun.
1815 W. Burney Falconer's New Universal Dict. Marine (rev. ed.) Watch-Gun, the gun which is fired on board ships of war at the setting of the watch in the evening, and relieving it in the morning.
watch hand n. each of the hands of a watch; also attributive in watch-hand rotation, rotation from left to right like that of the hands of a watch.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > instruments for measuring time > watch > [noun] > parts of
barrel1591
motion1605
bezel1616
fusee1622
string1638
crown wheel1646
out-case1651
watch-box1656
nuck1664
watchwork1667
balance-wheel1669
box1675
dial wheel1675
counter-potence1678
pendulum-balance1680
watch-case1681
pillar1684
contrate teeth1696
pinion of report1696
watch-hook1698
bob-balance1701
half-cock1701
potence1704
verge1704
pad1705
movable1709
jewel1711
pendant1721
crystal1722
watch-key1723
pendulum spring1728
lock spring1741
watch-glass1742
watch-spring1761
all-or-nothing piece1764
watch hand1764
cylinder1765
cannon?1780
cannon1802
stackfreed1819
pillar plate1821
little hand1829
hair-spring1830
lunette1832
all-or-nothing1843
locking1851
slag1857
staff1860
case spring1866
stem1866
balance-cock1874
watch-dial1875
balance-spring1881
balance-staff1881
Breguet spring1881
overcoil1881
surprise-piece1881
brass edge1884
button turn1884
fourth wheel1884
fusee-sink1884
pair-case1884
silver bar1884
silver piece1884
slang1884
top plate1884
karrusel1893
watch-face1893
watch bracelet1896
bar-movement1903
jewel pivot1907
jewel bearing1954
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > revolution or rotation > [noun] > rotation as a wheel > in specific direction
watch-hand rotation1882
1764 Pennsylvania Gaz. 6 Dec. 1/1 (advt.) Lately imported from England..clock and watch hands, finished clock faces.
1882 G. M. Minchin Uniplanar Kinematics 36 An observer..sees..every point in the body rotated about him in a sense opposite to that of watch-hand rotation.
1882 G. M. Minchin Uniplanar Kinematics 222.
watch-header n. U.S. the officer in charge of a watch.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > hostilities at sea > seafaring warrior or naval man > leader or commander > officer with specific duty > [noun] > watch-officer
watch-header1887
watch-officer1898
1887 G. B. Goode Fisheries U.S.: Hist. & Methods II. 229 The divisions of the crew are known as the starboard and larboard watches, commanded respectively by the first and second mates or the second and third mates, who are known as watch-headers.
watch hill n. (see quot. 1895).
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > defence > action or duty of sentry or picket > [noun] > watch-post > hill
watch hill1560
watch-knoll1645
watch1775
1560 in J. Scott Berwick-upon-Tweed (1888) 448 Any man that cometh to the watch hill and is by the officers to watch.
1895 Lakeland Gloss. Suppl. Watch Hill, the hill from which the outlook was kept against border freebooters; hence now frequent as Border place-name.
watch-hook n. a hook for fastening a watch to the dress.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > instruments for measuring time > watch > [noun] > parts of
barrel1591
motion1605
bezel1616
fusee1622
string1638
crown wheel1646
out-case1651
watch-box1656
nuck1664
watchwork1667
balance-wheel1669
box1675
dial wheel1675
counter-potence1678
pendulum-balance1680
watch-case1681
pillar1684
contrate teeth1696
pinion of report1696
watch-hook1698
bob-balance1701
half-cock1701
potence1704
verge1704
pad1705
movable1709
jewel1711
pendant1721
crystal1722
watch-key1723
pendulum spring1728
lock spring1741
watch-glass1742
watch-spring1761
all-or-nothing piece1764
watch hand1764
cylinder1765
cannon?1780
cannon1802
stackfreed1819
pillar plate1821
little hand1829
hair-spring1830
lunette1832
all-or-nothing1843
locking1851
slag1857
staff1860
case spring1866
stem1866
balance-cock1874
watch-dial1875
balance-spring1881
balance-staff1881
Breguet spring1881
overcoil1881
surprise-piece1881
brass edge1884
button turn1884
fourth wheel1884
fusee-sink1884
pair-case1884
silver bar1884
silver piece1884
slang1884
top plate1884
karrusel1893
watch-face1893
watch bracelet1896
bar-movement1903
jewel pivot1907
jewel bearing1954
1698 London Gaz. No. 3376/4 A Diamond Watch-Hook..was lost the 17th instant.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > day and night > night > [noun] > watch or period into which night was divided > hour for sounding the watch
watch hour?a1534
?a1534 H. Medwall Nature i. sig. aii Who taught the cok hys watche howres to obserue.
watch jeweller n. a workman who fits the jewels in the pivot-holes of watches.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > instruments for measuring time > watch > [noun] > making watches > one who makes, fixes, or regulates
watchmaker1630
watch-wright1674
watch-cobbler1756
springer1769
timer1876
watch jeweller1884
watch-jobber1895
1884 F. J. Britten Watch & Clockmakers' Handbk. (new ed.) 102 Watch jewellers use a glass with double lenses half an inch in diameter.
watch-jobber n. a mender of watches, esp. as a watchmaker's employé.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > instruments for measuring time > watch > [noun] > making watches > one who makes, fixes, or regulates
watchmaker1630
watch-wright1674
watch-cobbler1756
springer1769
timer1876
watch jeweller1884
watch-jobber1895
1895 Daily Chron. 28 Aug. 8/4 Watch Jobber (Really good) wanted.
watch-keeper n. one who keeps watch or serves as a member of a watch on board ship; an officer in charge of a watch; also in gen. use, one who keeps watch or acts as a look-out.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > keeping watch > [noun] > one who
waker1382
veilc1390
watch1484
watcher1525
observator1611
eye1837
watch-keeper1900
society > travel > travel by water > one who travels by water or sea > sailor > [noun] > crew > watch > watch-keeper
watch-keeper1900
1900 F. T. Bullen With Christ at Sea xi. 210 The second mate..combined in himself the various offices of bosun, sailmaker, and watchkeeper.
1920 Times Lit. Suppl. 13 May 298/4 He exchanged his duties as a watch-keeper in an ironclad for service in the Cockatrice.
1981 J. R. L. Anderson Death in High Latitude ix. 141 We must have someone on watch... And the watchkeeper must have a rifle.
watch-keeping n. and adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > keeping watch > [noun]
watchc888
watching1479
vigilation1598
outlook1815
vigil1816
vigil-keeping1897
watch-keeping1946
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > keeping watch > [adjective] > involved in or relating to
watch-keeping1946
1946 ‘C. S. Forester’ Lord Hornblower iv. 32 Nine years as a captain had not eradicated the habits acquired during a dozen years as a watchkeeping officer.
1977 Proc. Royal Soc. Med. 70 485/2 A sailor reported recurrent unilateral swelling after watchkeeping.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > defence > action or duty of sentry or picket > [noun] > watch-post > hill
watch hill1560
watch-knoll1645
watch1775
1645 in J. Wilson Annals of Hawick (1850) 65 [A burgess charged with not being present at the riding of the common] confessit he was at the Watch-Know. [They] assoilzied him of the penalty and fine.
watch lamp n. an apparatus for illuminating the face of a watch at night.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > instruments for measuring time > watch > [noun] > particular types of watch
German watch1611
larum watch1619
clock-watch1625
minute watch1660
pendulum watch1664
watch1666
alarm watch1669
finger watch1679
string-watch1686
scout1688
balance-watch1690
hour-watch1697
warming-pan1699
minute pendulum watch1705
jewel watch1711
suit1718
repeater1725
Tompion1727
pendulum spring1728
second-watch1755
Geneva watch1756
cylinder-watch1765
watch-paper1777
ring watch1788
verge watch1792
watch lamp1823
hack1827
bull's-eye1833
vertical watch1838
quarter-repeater1840
turnip1840
hunting-watch1843
minute repeater1843
hunter1851
job watch1851
Geneva1852
watch-lining1856
touch watch1860
musical watch1864
lever1865
neep1866
verge1871
independent seconds watch1875
stem-winder1875
demi-hunter1884
fob-watch1884
three-quarter plate1884
wrist-watch1897
turnip-watch1898
sedan-chair watch1904
Rolex1922
Tank watch1923
strap watch1926
chatelaine watch1936
sedan clock1950
quartz watch1969
pulsar1970
1823 J. Badcock Domest. Amusem. 203 Contrivance for a Watch Lamp..which will show the Hour of the Night, without trouble to a person lying in bed.
watch-lining n. = watch-paper n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > instruments for measuring time > watch > [noun] > particular types of watch
German watch1611
larum watch1619
clock-watch1625
minute watch1660
pendulum watch1664
watch1666
alarm watch1669
finger watch1679
string-watch1686
scout1688
balance-watch1690
hour-watch1697
warming-pan1699
minute pendulum watch1705
jewel watch1711
suit1718
repeater1725
Tompion1727
pendulum spring1728
second-watch1755
Geneva watch1756
cylinder-watch1765
watch-paper1777
ring watch1788
verge watch1792
watch lamp1823
hack1827
bull's-eye1833
vertical watch1838
quarter-repeater1840
turnip1840
hunting-watch1843
minute repeater1843
hunter1851
job watch1851
Geneva1852
watch-lining1856
touch watch1860
musical watch1864
lever1865
neep1866
verge1871
independent seconds watch1875
stem-winder1875
demi-hunter1884
fob-watch1884
three-quarter plate1884
wrist-watch1897
turnip-watch1898
sedan-chair watch1904
Rolex1922
Tank watch1923
strap watch1926
chatelaine watch1936
sedan clock1950
quartz watch1969
pulsar1970
1856 C. Dickens Little Dorrit (1857) i. xxx. 263 An old silk watch-lining, worked with beads!
watch-list n. a list of items or names which require close surveillance, esp. for legal or political reasons.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > keeping watch > [noun] > surveillance > list of things or people for surveillance
watch-list1974
1974 P. Gore-Booth With Great Truth & Respect 238 There had been three categories of control, namely embargo, quantitative restriction and a ‘watch-list’.
1982 J. Penn Notice of Death xix. 178 The Watch List..a list the officials have at ports of entry, of people who are wanted for one thing or another.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > impost, due, or tax > military exactions > [noun]
coynye1449
scutagec1460
spear silver1496
conduct-money1512
coat-money1557
bonaght1568
cessc1571
cosheringc1571
cessheryc1575
quartering-money1580
sessa1581
coshery1587
coatc1630
ship-money1636
shipping-money1640
ship-scot1640
conduct1644
trophy money1664
trophy tax1701
watch-mail1710
Saladine tax1728
1710 J. Lauder Decisions (1761) II. 552 When this watch-mail was constitute.
watch mark n. Nautical a mark worn on the sleeve, indicating the watch to which the wearer belongs.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > hostilities at sea > administration and ceremonial > [noun] > naval insignia
swab1793
weekly accounts1805
watch mark1860
killick1915
1860 H. Stuart Novice's or Young Seaman's Catech. (rev. ed.) 83 It is now a general rule throughout the navy to have ‘watch marks’ on the sleeve of the frock.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > warrior > soldier > leader or commander > officer according to function > [noun] > captain of the guard
watch-master1585
1585 J. Higgins tr. Junius Nomenclator 479/2 Tesserarius,..the watchmaister, or the sargeant that giueth the charge or watchword to the souldiers.
watch-mastiff n. a mastiff kept as a watchdog.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > watching or keeping guard > [noun] > one who watches or keeps guard > watch-dog or guard dog
tie-dogc1290
porter?a1425
bandogc1425
house dog1577
mâtin1579
housekeeper1607
watchdoga1616
watch-mastiff1778
yard-dog1795
guard dog1796
big dog1833
prowl dog1974
the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > family Canidae > other types of dog > [noun] > giant breeds > mastiff
mastiffa1387
bandogc1425
mastiff houndc1450
mastin1484
mastiff cur1522
grand-hound1548
mastiff bitch1604
Molossus dog1607
molossus1623
watch-mastiff1778
1778 W. Pearce Haunts of Shakespeare 13 Or drowsy watch-mastiff that bays the sharp wind.
watch-mate n. a fellow-member of a ship's watch.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > one who travels by water or sea > sailor > [noun] > crew > watch > fellow member of
watch-mate1635
1635 L. Foxe North-west Fox sig. Xv That no man shall..make any doubt thereof, eyther..at his Messe or to his Watch-mate.
1840 R. H. Dana Two Years before Mast xvi. 150 About midnight, we were waked up by our two watch-mates.
1898 F. T. Bullen Cruise ‘Cachalot’ xiv. 162 All my watchmates were..waiting to be taken on board again.
ΚΠ
1710 J. Lauder Decisions (1761) II. 552 Others more probably conjecture from its name given to it by Skeen, voce Pension..of the watch-meal of Kilpatrick, that it was for the sustenance of the garrison of Dumbarton.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > payment for labour or service > [noun] > payment for other specific work
wensevesc1250
spade-silver1606
watch money1628
wonting pennya1642
box money1707
hook-penny1794
bobbin1936
1628 MS Accts. Toke Estate (Kent) Watch money.
c1750 in W. Alexander Notes & Sketches 18th Cent. (1877) 66 There is paid in black mail or watch money, openly, or privately, £5000.
watch-nick n. (see quot.).
ΚΠ
1897 ‘P. Warung’ Tales Old Regime 122 Bunt..owned a watch-nick—a tiny saw filed out of the tempered steel of a watch-spring.
watch-night n. /ˈwɔtʃˌnaɪt/,
Brit. /ˈwɒtʃnʌɪt/
, /ˈwɒtʃnʌɪt/U.S. /ˈwɑtʃˌnaɪt/
, /ˈwɑtʃˌnaɪt//ˈwɔtʃˌnaɪt/West African English /ˈwɔtʃˌnait/
(a) originally a religious service extending over midnight held monthly by Wesleyan Methodists; in later use a service held (by Methodists and others) on New Year's eve, lasting until midnight; also, the night upon which the service is held; (b) West African a night-watchman./ˈwɔtʃˌnait/ΘΚΠ
society > faith > worship > observance, ritual > kinds of rite > watch-night > [noun]
watch971
watch-night1742
society > faith > worship > sacrament > (extreme) unction > vigil > [noun] > Wesleyan
watch-night1742
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > watching or keeping guard > [noun] > one who watches or keeps guard > one who watches or guards at night
night watcha1400
night-watcher1569
Jack-o'-lantern1663
nightwatchman1767
vigilante1899
hack1914
watch-night1953
1742 J. Wesley Jrnl. 9 Apr. We had the first watch-night in London. We commonly choose for this Solemn Service the Friday night nearest the full moon.
1835 Court Mag. 6 70/2 A methodist, she always goes to their chapel on New Year's-eve—or the ‘Watch Night’, as they call it.
1883 Pall Mall Gaz. 10 July 10/1 A man..was charged with..annoying the Salvation Army at a ‘watch-night’ service.
1953 G. Durrell Overloaded Ark vi. 113 I engaged what in the Cameroons is known as Watchnight... There were two reasons for engaging a night watchman: the first..to wake me up. The second..was that he patrolled the edge of the compound..for driver ant columns.
1975 J. Wyllie Butterfly Flood (1977) xxxi. 148 The watch night. Where is the watch night?.. The nightwatchman was lying in his reclining chair.
watch-officer n. an officer who takes his turn as the officer in charge of the watch.
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society > armed hostility > hostilities at sea > seafaring warrior or naval man > leader or commander > officer with specific duty > [noun] > watch-officer
watch-header1887
watch-officer1898
1898 R. Kipling Fleet in Being ii. 29 On a third-class cruiser, he [the Sub] is a watch-officer.
watch-oil n. a highly refined lubricating oil used for watches and clocks.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > instruments for measuring time > watch > [noun] > making watches > tools or materials used in watchmaking
wig-wag1582
turn-bench1680
fusee-engine1858
parachute1865
fraise1874
pinion-file1875
watch-oil1876
bouchon1881
spotter1881
bench winder1884
knee-punch1884
pinion bottoming file1884
pinion gauge1884
stake1884
wax lathe1884
turner1891
1876 W. H. Preece & J. Sivewright Telegraphy 249 Only good watch-oil should be employed.
watch-paper n. a disc of paper, silk, or other material, inscribed or painted with an ornamental design, a picture, rhyme, or other device, inserted as a lining or pad in the outer case of an old-fashioned watch.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > instruments for measuring time > watch > [noun] > particular types of watch
German watch1611
larum watch1619
clock-watch1625
minute watch1660
pendulum watch1664
watch1666
alarm watch1669
finger watch1679
string-watch1686
scout1688
balance-watch1690
hour-watch1697
warming-pan1699
minute pendulum watch1705
jewel watch1711
suit1718
repeater1725
Tompion1727
pendulum spring1728
second-watch1755
Geneva watch1756
cylinder-watch1765
watch-paper1777
ring watch1788
verge watch1792
watch lamp1823
hack1827
bull's-eye1833
vertical watch1838
quarter-repeater1840
turnip1840
hunting-watch1843
minute repeater1843
hunter1851
job watch1851
Geneva1852
watch-lining1856
touch watch1860
musical watch1864
lever1865
neep1866
verge1871
independent seconds watch1875
stem-winder1875
demi-hunter1884
fob-watch1884
three-quarter plate1884
wrist-watch1897
turnip-watch1898
sedan-chair watch1904
Rolex1922
Tank watch1923
strap watch1926
chatelaine watch1936
sedan clock1950
quartz watch1969
pulsar1970
1777 in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 67 335 A watch-paper..on which there are some very fine hair strokes of a graver.
1818 W. Hazlitt Lect. Eng. Poets (1870) vii. 170 Nor did he cut out poetry as we cut out watch-papers.
1858 O. W. Holmes Autocrat of Breakfast-table ix. 245 He..opened the watch and handed me the loose outside case without a word.—The watch-paper had been pink once... Two little birds, a flower [etc.].
1908 E. Fowler Between Trent & Ancholme 21 He wrote minutely the Creed and the Lord's Prayer on watch-papers.
watch-part n. = watch train n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > instruments for measuring time > clock > [noun] > part(s) of
nut1428
peise1428
plumbc1450
Jack1498
clockwork1516
larum1542
Jack of the clockhouse1563
watch-wheel1568
work1570
plummeta1578
Jack of the clock1581
snail-cam1591
snail-work1591
pointer1596
quarter jack1604
mainspring1605
winder1606
notch-wheel1611
fusee1622
count-wheel1647
jack-wheel1647
frame1658
arbor1659
balance1660
fuse1674
hour-figure1675
stop1675
pallet1676
regulator1676
cock1678
movement1678
detent1688
savage1690
clock1696
pinwheel1696
starred wheel1696
swing-wheel1696
warning-wheel1696
watch1696
watch-part1696
hoop-wheel1704
hour-wheel1704
snail1714
step-wheel1714
tide-work1739
train1751
crutch1753
cannon pinion1764
rising board1769
remontoire1774
escapement1779
clock jack1784
locking plate1786
scapement1789
motion work1795
anchor escapement1798
scape1798
star-wheel1798
recoil escapement1800
recoiling pallet1801
recoiling scapement1801
cannon1802
hammer-tail1805
recoiling escapement1805
bottle jack1810
renovating spring1812
quarter-boy1815
pin tooth1817
solar wheel1819
impulse-teeth1825
pendulum wheel1825
pallet arbor1826
rewinder1826
rack hook1829
snail-wheel1831
quarter bell1832
tow1834
star pulley1836
watch train1838
clock train1843
raising-piece1843
wheelwork1843
gravity escapement1850
jumper1850
vertical escapement1850
time train1853
pin pallet1860
spade1862
dead well1867
stop-work1869
ringer1873
strike-or-silent1875
warning-piece1875
guard-pin1879
pendulum cock1881
warning-lever1881
beat-pin1883
fusee-piece1884
fusee-snail1884
shutter1884
tourbillion1884
tumbler1884
virgule1884
foliot1899
grasshopper1899
grasshopper escapement1899
trunk1899
pin lever1908
clock spring1933
1696 W. Derham Artific. Clock-maker i. 3 The Watch-part of a Movement is that which serveth to the measuring the hours.
watch-peal n. a warning peal (of a bell).
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > indication > signalling > audible signalling > ringing of bells as signal > [noun] > as alarm signal
tocsin1586
watch-peal1656
alarm1777
1656 P. Heylyn Surv. Estate France 12 The Protestants, of this Bell [rung at the procession of the host]..use it as a warning or watch-peal to avoid that street through which they hear it coming.
watch-peel n. (see peel n.1 3).
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > defence > defensive work(s) > castle or fortified building > [noun] > tower or fortified house > peel
pilelOE
pilea1513
peel house1586
pale1596
peel1726
border-house1792
peel tower1851
watch-peel1882
1882 A. Geikie Geol. Sketches i. 7 Watch-peels, castles, and towers.
watch-pocket n. a small pocket in a garment for carrying a watch; also, a pocket or pouch at the head of a bed, to hold a person's watch at night.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > parts of clothing > [noun] > pocket > types of
French pocket1675
side pocket1678
breast pocket1758
suck1821
watch-pocket1831
patch pocket1895
insider1896
prat1908
sidekick1916
bellows pocket1922
pannier pocket1922
welt pocket1932
slit pocket1933
society > occupation and work > equipment > receptacle or container > [noun] > resembling a pocket > for a watch
watch-pocket1831
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > bed > parts of bed > [noun] > other parts
bed-board1530
bedstaff1576
underbed1648
ruelle1751
bed-screw1758
watch-pocket1831
knob1848
box spring1851
watch-case1891
1831 M. Whalley Let. 15 Feb. in J. Constable Corr. (1962) I. 260 Thanks for..a pair of tastefully & beautifully made watch pockets.
1837 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers xxxvi. 394 Consulting a copper time-piece which dwelt at the bottom of a deep watch-pocket, and was raised to the surface by means of a black string.
1851 D. Jerrold St. Giles & St. James (new ed.) xxi, in Writings I. 218 [The] pistols..he attempted to place in the watch-pocket at the head of the bed.
watch point n. a watching station.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > place where view obtained > [noun] > look-out place
garret1340
tooting-towera1382
watch-house1482
watchtower1544
watch-stand1610
beacon1611
mount1612
belfry1631
lookout1662
mirador1672
lookout tower1748
toot1770
watch point1893
observation post1909
lookout station1928
1893 J. Watson Confess. Poacher 167 When a constable, then a second, and a third, were all tearing down upon me from watch points, where they had been in hiding.
watch pole n. a watchman's pole or staff.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > club or stick > [noun] > pole or staff
roodOE
staffc1000
reppleOE
slot-staff1561
long-staff1595
bone-baster1600
handstaff1611
ballowa1616
watch pole1712
coup-stick1876
1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 358. ⁋1 A Gentleman that has several Wounds in the Head by Watch Poles.
watch-post n. Military a position at which a body of soldiers, a sentinel or watchman, is stationed on watch; also, a body of guards.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > defence > action or duty of sentry or picket > [noun] > watch-post
warding-place1571
watch-post1852
society > armed hostility > armed forces > the Army > group with special function or duty > [noun] > for guard duty
guarda1513
counterguard1523
stand watch1525
presidy1529
body of guard1579
court of guarda1592
perdu1622
sentry1705
field-watch1797
watch-post1852
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > watching or keeping guard > [noun] > one who watches or keeps guard > post or place of
stand1392
guardc1500
vigil1533
watching-place1847
watch room1850
watch-post1852
1852 G. Grote Hist. Greece IX. ii. lxxii. 298 The occupation of Æolis by the Lacedæmonian general was a sort of watch-post.
1887 C. Bowen tr. Virgil Æneid iii, in tr. Virgil in Eng. Verse 160 Signal Misenus gives from his watch-post set on the steep.
1888 E. Gerard Land beyond Forest II. xxxviii. 144 On the extreme frontier of Transylvania, however, he left behind him a portion of his army, to serve as watch-post.
watch rate n. a rate levied by a municipal borough to defray the expenses of watching.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > impost, due, or tax > local or municipal taxes or dues > [noun] > rates > for watchmen
watch1430
watch and ward1546
watch1566
watch rate1835
watching-rate1836
1835 Act 5 & 6 William IV c. 76 §92 Provided that in every Case in which before the passing this Act any Rate might be levied in any Borough..for the Purpose of watching..it shall be lawful for the Council of such Borough to levy a Watch Rate.
1860 S. Smiles Self-help (new ed.) 114 Flaxman..was on one occasion selected by the ratepayers to collect the watch-rate for the parish of St. Anne.
watch-riband n. (also watch-ribbon) a watch-guard in the form of a riband.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > types of ornamentation > jewellery > watch-guard > [noun]
watch-chain1739
watch-string1745
watch-riband1804
watch-guard1836
Albert chain1845
Albert watch chain1845
Albert1850
watch fob1866
fob-chain1885
fob1889
1804 Ld. Byron Let. 29 Aug. (1973) I. 51 Do not overlook my watch ribbon, and purse as I wish to Carry them with me.
1827 B. Disraeli Vivian Grey III. v. vii. 131 Here are Eau de Cologne, violet soap, and watch-ribbons.
1832 Chambers' Edinb. Jrnl. 14 Apr. 82/2 Having changed the wear..of a silk watch-riband for a chain.
1834 F. Marryat Peter Simple I. iii. 26 The captain gave a youngster five dozen the other day for wearing a scarlet watch-ribbon.
watch room n. a room from or within which a watch is kept.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > watching or keeping guard > [noun] > one who watches or keeps guard > post or place of
stand1392
guardc1500
vigil1533
watching-place1847
watch room1850
watch-post1852
1850 Ann. Sci. Discov. 73 On the top of the structure [sc. a lighthouse] is the watch-room, and lantern, or light-room.
1883 ‘M. Twain’ Life on Mississippi xxxi. 338 One of the two establishments where the Government keeps and watches corpses until the doctors decide that they are permanently dead... A wire led..to a bell in a watch-room yonder, where,..a watchman sits always alert.
1943 Gloss. Terms Telecomm. (B.S.I.) 85 Watch room, the room, at the fire station, which is continuously staffed and contains the alarm-recording apparatus, call-bell keys and telephonic intercommunicating equipment.
1977 Stornoway Gaz. 27 Aug. 1/4 The Commission also want to renovate the existing harbour watchroom to provide welfare facilities for dock workers, a new watchroom, and public toilets.
1979 N. Wallington Fireman! iii. 37 I saw..the watchroom into which came all the emergency calls.
watch round n. = round n.1 23.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > defence > action or duty of sentry or picket > [noun] > circuit of watch or sentry
round1580
watch round1828
1828 P. F. Tytler Hist. Scotl. I. iv. 349 Spalding..agreed, on the night when it was his turn to take his part in the watch rounds, to assist the enemy in an escalade.
watch-seal n. = seal n.2 3f.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > types of ornamentation > jewellery > jewellery of specific shape or form > [noun] > pendant > fastened to a watch-chain or girdle
watch-seal1798
onion1811
seal1836
chatelaine1851
breloque1856
charm1865
watch-charm1898
1798 S. Lee Young Lady's Tale in H. Lee Canterbury Tales II. 151 The watch-seals..of the Marquis.
1841 T. Carlyle On Heroes v. 293 He does not ‘engrave Truth on his watch-seal’.
watch-setting n. Military the posting of the watch.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > defence > action or duty of sentry or picket > [noun] > posting of watch
watch-setting1811
1811 Gen. Regulations & Orders Army 101 After which no Trumpet is to sound, or Drum to beat, in the Garrison, except at Watch-setting and Tattoo.
1844 Queen's Regulations & Orders Army 259 The Trumpet is to sound for Watch-setting, and the Tattoo is to beat at Eight o'clock.
1920 Daily Tel. 21 Mar. 10/7 The ceremony of playing ‘Retreat’ on watch~setting is observed all over the Empire wherever an infantry battalion is quartered.
watch-spring n. the mainspring of a watch; also (without article) as a material; also attributive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > instruments for measuring time > watch > [noun] > parts of
barrel1591
motion1605
bezel1616
fusee1622
string1638
crown wheel1646
out-case1651
watch-box1656
nuck1664
watchwork1667
balance-wheel1669
box1675
dial wheel1675
counter-potence1678
pendulum-balance1680
watch-case1681
pillar1684
contrate teeth1696
pinion of report1696
watch-hook1698
bob-balance1701
half-cock1701
potence1704
verge1704
pad1705
movable1709
jewel1711
pendant1721
crystal1722
watch-key1723
pendulum spring1728
lock spring1741
watch-glass1742
watch-spring1761
all-or-nothing piece1764
watch hand1764
cylinder1765
cannon?1780
cannon1802
stackfreed1819
pillar plate1821
little hand1829
hair-spring1830
lunette1832
all-or-nothing1843
locking1851
slag1857
staff1860
case spring1866
stem1866
balance-cock1874
watch-dial1875
balance-spring1881
balance-staff1881
Breguet spring1881
overcoil1881
surprise-piece1881
brass edge1884
button turn1884
fourth wheel1884
fusee-sink1884
pair-case1884
silver bar1884
silver piece1884
slang1884
top plate1884
karrusel1893
watch-face1893
watch bracelet1896
bar-movement1903
jewel pivot1907
jewel bearing1954
1761 Philos. Trans. 1760 (Royal Soc.) 51 829 I cut off several slips from different leaves, each of which I placed between two bits of watch-spring.
1815 J. Smith Panorama Sci. & Art II. 375 Thin plates..rolled up in the manner of a watch-spring.
1837 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers liii. 577 The fat boy returned, slumbering as peaceably in his dickey over the stones as if it had been a down bed on watch-springs.
1843 C. Holtzapffel Turning & Mech. Manip. I. 250 Watch springs are hammered out of round steel wire of suitable diameter, until they fill the gage for width.
1897 Daily News 1 June 7/4 The watch-spring steel is manufactured at Sheffield.
watch-stand n. †(a) a look-out position for a sentinel or watchman; (b) a small case or stand in or upon which a watch may be placed so that its face may be seen.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > place where view obtained > [noun] > look-out place
garret1340
tooting-towera1382
watch-house1482
watchtower1544
watch-stand1610
beacon1611
mount1612
belfry1631
lookout1662
mirador1672
lookout tower1748
toot1770
watch point1893
observation post1909
lookout station1928
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > stand > [noun] > other stands
boot-rack1837
umbrella-stand1837
watch-stand1858
pot stand1868
wig-stand1883
tie rack1916
patio stand1969
1610 J. Healey tr. J. L. Vives in tr. St. Augustine Citie of God iii. xii. 121 In time of warre, or suspition, the watchmen placed bundels of drye small sticks, vpon their high watch-stands [L. in editis speculis].
1858 P. L. Simmonds Dict. Trade Products Watch-stand, a mantel-piece or toilet rest or support for a watch.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > constellation > Northern constellations > [noun] > Ursa Minor > guardian(s)
guardian1555
warden1555
guard1574
watcher1588
watch-star1588
guard-star1690
1588 A. Ashley tr. L. J. Wagenaer Mariners Mirrour i. sig. B.2v If the said watch stars stand South southwest. [Cf. supra, ‘those Guardes or watches of Vrsa minor’.]
watch-string n. a watch-guard of cord.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > types of ornamentation > jewellery > watch-guard > [noun]
watch-chain1739
watch-string1745
watch-riband1804
watch-guard1836
Albert chain1845
Albert watch chain1845
Albert1850
watch fob1866
fob-chain1885
fob1889
1745 Pennsylvania Gaz. 30 May 5/2 (advt.) To be sold,..silk gloves, cane and watch-strings.
1789 Trifler No. xxxiii. 427 A gentleman of the present age has seldom more taste than he can..lavish away in the choice of a watch-string.
watch-tackle n. Nautical a tackle n. 3a by means of which the watch can perform various operations without the help of additional men.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > tackle or purchase > [noun] > other tackles
polancre1356
Breton tackle1495
burton1704
relieving tackle1717
Spanish burton1829
watch-tackle1840
pendant tackle1852
top-burtonc1860
cant-fall1867
coal-whipper1881
1840 R. H. Dana Two Years before Mast xxv. 268 By..clapping watch-tackles upon all the sheets and halyards, we managed to hold our own.
watch train n. the set of wheels and pinions which drive the hands of a clock, as distinguished from the striking train.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > instruments for measuring time > clock > [noun] > part(s) of
nut1428
peise1428
plumbc1450
Jack1498
clockwork1516
larum1542
Jack of the clockhouse1563
watch-wheel1568
work1570
plummeta1578
Jack of the clock1581
snail-cam1591
snail-work1591
pointer1596
quarter jack1604
mainspring1605
winder1606
notch-wheel1611
fusee1622
count-wheel1647
jack-wheel1647
frame1658
arbor1659
balance1660
fuse1674
hour-figure1675
stop1675
pallet1676
regulator1676
cock1678
movement1678
detent1688
savage1690
clock1696
pinwheel1696
starred wheel1696
swing-wheel1696
warning-wheel1696
watch1696
watch-part1696
hoop-wheel1704
hour-wheel1704
snail1714
step-wheel1714
tide-work1739
train1751
crutch1753
cannon pinion1764
rising board1769
remontoire1774
escapement1779
clock jack1784
locking plate1786
scapement1789
motion work1795
anchor escapement1798
scape1798
star-wheel1798
recoil escapement1800
recoiling pallet1801
recoiling scapement1801
cannon1802
hammer-tail1805
recoiling escapement1805
bottle jack1810
renovating spring1812
quarter-boy1815
pin tooth1817
solar wheel1819
impulse-teeth1825
pendulum wheel1825
pallet arbor1826
rewinder1826
rack hook1829
snail-wheel1831
quarter bell1832
tow1834
star pulley1836
watch train1838
clock train1843
raising-piece1843
wheelwork1843
gravity escapement1850
jumper1850
vertical escapement1850
time train1853
pin pallet1860
spade1862
dead well1867
stop-work1869
ringer1873
strike-or-silent1875
warning-piece1875
guard-pin1879
pendulum cock1881
warning-lever1881
beat-pin1883
fusee-piece1884
fusee-snail1884
shutter1884
tourbillion1884
tumbler1884
virgule1884
foliot1899
grasshopper1899
grasshopper escapement1899
trunk1899
pin lever1908
clock spring1933
1838 Penny Cycl. XII. 299/1 The one..gives motion to the train of wheels called the going or watch train; the other to the striking train of wheels.
1894 F. J. Britten Former Clock & Watchmakers 210 The ‘going’ or ‘watch’ train, that drives the hands.
watch-wheel n. the balance wheel of the ‘watch-work’ of a clock; also in combinations.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > instruments for measuring time > clock > [noun] > part(s) of
nut1428
peise1428
plumbc1450
Jack1498
clockwork1516
larum1542
Jack of the clockhouse1563
watch-wheel1568
work1570
plummeta1578
Jack of the clock1581
snail-cam1591
snail-work1591
pointer1596
quarter jack1604
mainspring1605
winder1606
notch-wheel1611
fusee1622
count-wheel1647
jack-wheel1647
frame1658
arbor1659
balance1660
fuse1674
hour-figure1675
stop1675
pallet1676
regulator1676
cock1678
movement1678
detent1688
savage1690
clock1696
pinwheel1696
starred wheel1696
swing-wheel1696
warning-wheel1696
watch1696
watch-part1696
hoop-wheel1704
hour-wheel1704
snail1714
step-wheel1714
tide-work1739
train1751
crutch1753
cannon pinion1764
rising board1769
remontoire1774
escapement1779
clock jack1784
locking plate1786
scapement1789
motion work1795
anchor escapement1798
scape1798
star-wheel1798
recoil escapement1800
recoiling pallet1801
recoiling scapement1801
cannon1802
hammer-tail1805
recoiling escapement1805
bottle jack1810
renovating spring1812
quarter-boy1815
pin tooth1817
solar wheel1819
impulse-teeth1825
pendulum wheel1825
pallet arbor1826
rewinder1826
rack hook1829
snail-wheel1831
quarter bell1832
tow1834
star pulley1836
watch train1838
clock train1843
raising-piece1843
wheelwork1843
gravity escapement1850
jumper1850
vertical escapement1850
time train1853
pin pallet1860
spade1862
dead well1867
stop-work1869
ringer1873
strike-or-silent1875
warning-piece1875
guard-pin1879
pendulum cock1881
warning-lever1881
beat-pin1883
fusee-piece1884
fusee-snail1884
shutter1884
tourbillion1884
tumbler1884
virgule1884
foliot1899
grasshopper1899
grasshopper escapement1899
trunk1899
pin lever1908
clock spring1933
1568 in T. Wright Churchwardens' Accts. Ludlow (1869) 132 For the mendinge of the staye of the wache while..jd.
1569 in T. Wright Churchwardens' Accts. Ludlow (1869) 136 For the mending of the watchwhele of the clock.
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. 362/1 The Second..is termed the Ballance Wheel of a Clock... Some call it the Wauch Wheel, or Motion Wheel.
1813 Examiner 5 Apr. 219/1 R. Payne,..watch-wheel-maker.
watch-woman n. (a) a woman who ‘watches’ in a sick room or attends a sick person. (b) a woman who performs the duties of a night watchman; (c) a woman who keeps vigil (nonce-use.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > [noun] > one who is vigilant
watch-woman1638
vigilant1822
minuteman1961
the world > health and disease > healing > healer > non-medical worker > [noun] > hospital attendant > watcher
watcher?1553
watch-woman1822
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > watching or keeping guard > [noun] > one who watches or keeps guard > one who watches or guards at night > female
watch-woman1836
1638 G. Daniel Eclog. i. 170 Thy verse may creepe To Chimneyes, or watch-women till they sleepe.
1822 J. M. Good Study Med. III. 88 The mischievous fondness of her nearest relations has since removed this faithful watchwoman [sc. female attendant].
1836 H. W. Longfellow in S. Longfellow Life H. W. Longfellow (1891) I. 245 At Brunnen there is no watchman, but a watchwoman.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > instruments for measuring time > watch > [noun] > making watches > one who makes, fixes, or regulates
watchmaker1630
watch-wright1674
watch-cobbler1756
springer1769
timer1876
watch jeweller1884
watch-jobber1895
1674 N. Fairfax Treat. Bulk & Selvedge 75 The Watch-wrights craft being not only the Ape of Nature, but the very Tool, still in her hand.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1923; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
watchv.
/wɒtʃ/, U.S. /wɑtʃ/, /wɔtʃ/ I. Intransitive uses.† 1. † b. To keep awake intentionally. Obsolete.† 7. Hunting. Of an otter: To retreat into its lair. Obsolete. Cf. 17.
a. To be or remain awake. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > state of being awake > be or remain awake [verb (intransitive)]
wakec900
watchOE
bewakea1450
OE Riddle 40 8 Heht me wæccende wunian longe, þæt ic ne slepe siþþan æfre.
a1000 in J. Stevenson Rituale Ecclesiæ Dunelmensis (1840) 28 Sive vigilemus sive dormiamus, Sva hvoeðer we woæca vel we slepa.
1430–40 J. Lydgate tr. Bochas Fall of Princes (1554) v. vii. 128 Fyrst the liddes of his eyen twayne, They cut them of..That he not should slepe in prison, But euer watche with paine intollerable.
c1430 J. Lydgate Minor Poems (Percy Soc.) 169 He..Slepithe on the day and wacchith al the nyght.
1583 P. Barrough Methode of Phisicke i. xv. 18 If the sicke watche ouermuch, then you must apply such things as doe prouoke sleepe.
a1643 W. Cartwright Lady-errant ii. ii, in Comedies (1651) sig. b4 Pan. Wee'l keep you, As they doe Hawkes— Cos. Watching untill you leave Your wildness.
1658 tr. L. Lemnius Secret Miracles of Nature iii. viii. 211 Hence grew the Proverb, when men have passed a troublesome nights rest..they say, We have had Saint John Baptist's night: That is, we have not taken any sleep, but watcht all night.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > state of being awake > be or remain awake [verb (intransitive)] > intentionally
watchc1000
to sit upc1450
stay1526
to burn (etc.) the midnight oil1635
to set up1697
to wake it1766
to watch up1852
to wait up1855
to stop up1857
c1000 Rule of Chrodegang xiv Eadige beoð þa þeowan, þe heora hlaford, Þonne he cymð, hi wæccende fint.
c1450 Cov. Myst., Betray. Christ 18 Petyr, with thi ffelawys here xalt thou abyde, And weche tyl I come ageyn.
c1475 Partenay 5375 Where it behouith to wacche nightes thre Without Any sompnolent slepe to be.
1600 W. Vaughan Nat. & Artific. Direct. Health vi. iii. 75 Watch not too long after supper, but depart within two hours to bed.
1650 H. Brooke Υγιεινη 180 The Phlegmatick and Fat should Watch much.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost i. 332 As when men wont to watch On duty, sleeping found by whom they dread, Rouse and bestir themselves ere well awake. View more context for this quotation
c. Of certain flowers: To remain unclosed (during certain hours of the day).
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > by age or cycles > age or be defined by cyclical growth periods [verb (intransitive)] > be open or closed or inactive
sleep1797
watch1812
1812 S. Edwards New Bot. Garden I. 51 The flowers [of Anthericum ramosum] watch from seven in the morning to three or four in the afternoon.
d. to watch up: to sit up at night. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > state of being awake > be or remain awake [verb (intransitive)] > intentionally
watchc1000
to sit upc1450
stay1526
to burn (etc.) the midnight oil1635
to set up1697
to wake it1766
to watch up1852
to wait up1855
to stop up1857
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > sleep > bed related to sleep or rest > go to bed or retire to rest [verb (intransitive)] > stay up or out of bed during the night
wakec900
to sit upc1450
stay1526
to set up1697
to wake it1766
to watch up1852
to stop up1857
1852 W. M. Thackeray Henry Esmond III. v. 142 Esmond had seen this gentleman..toiling to give bread to a great family, and watching up many a long winter night to keep the wolf from his door.
e. To remain awake with a sick person or at his bedside, for the purpose of rendering help or comfort.
ΚΠ
a1684 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1670 (1955) III. 544 I watched late with my Bro: this night, yet not imagining his end to be so neere.
1691 Tilson in Baxter's Certainty Worlds Spirits 148 Between One and Two-a-Clock in the Morning she fell into a Trance. One Widow Turner, who watched with her that Night, says, that [etc.].
1844 E. B. Barrett To Flush in Poems II. 154 This dog watched beside a bed..Where no sunbeam brake the gloom Round the sick and dreary.
2.
a. To remain awake for purposes of devotion; to keep vigil.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > state of being awake > be or remain awake [verb (intransitive)] > intentionally > specific keep a vigil
watch971
to keep a vigil or vigils1694
vigil1898
society > faith > worship > sacrament > (extreme) unction > vigil > keep vigil [verb (intransitive)]
watch971
wakec1000
to keep (a) vigil or vigils1555
971 Blickl. Hom. 137 Heo wæs wæccende dæges ond nihtes.
c1450 J. Capgrave Life St. Gilbert (1910) 121 Aftyr sche had wecchid in deuoute prayeres al a nyte sche went hom hol fro both sores.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection i. sig. Dvi He was tempted moste suttelly, he watched, he fasted, he prayed moste busely.
1570–1 Rec. Burgh Lanark (1893) 54 Item, for candill to wyche in the kirk, ij s.
1712 P. Leigh Life S. Wenefride 19 She watch'd whole Nights in the Church, either kneeling or prostrate before the Altar or [etc.].
1756 A. Butler Lives Saints I. 330 Peter watched long before the signal for mattins, and after with the rest.
1865 A. C. Swinburne Chastelard iii. i. 90 Fair sir, Give me this hour to watch with and say prayers.
1913 W. K. L. Clarke St. Basil vi. 89 To fast or watch more than the rest is self-will and vain-glory.
b. quasi-transitive with complement to watch in: to keep vigil to greet (the New Year).
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > worship > sacrament > (extreme) unction > vigil > keep vigil [verb (transitive)]
to watch in1828
1828 Adam Clarke in Life (1840) 454 Mother was not strong enough to watch-in the New Year.
3. † b. To attend diligently to a duty. Const. upon. Cf. to wait of —— 4 at wait v.1 Phrasal verbs. Obsolete.
a. To be on the alert, to be vigilant; to be on one's guard against danger or surprise.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > be vigilant or on one's guard [verb (intransitive)]
watcha1225
warea1325
bewarea1400
keepc1400
waitc1400
lay good waitc1440
to lie in great waitc1440
to look out?1553
to look about1599
awake1602
advigilate1623
to keep an eye open1651
perdue1656
to look sharp1680
waken1682
tout1699
to keep a sharp look-out1827
to keep one's weather-eye open1829
to keep (also have) an eye out1833
to keep one's eyes peeled1844
to watch out1845
to skin one's eyes1851
to have (also keep) one's eye on the ball1937
to watch one's back1949
a1225 St. Marher. 15 Ah þeo þet stalewurþe beoð ant starke to ȝein me [sc. Satan], swa þet heo ham wið me ant mine wrenches wecchinde ham werien, so uuel me puncheð þrof þet [etc.].
a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) iv. i. 5 Be heedfull: hence, and watch . View more context for this quotation
1658 J. Owen Of Temptation ii. 30 To watch is as much as to be on our guard, to take heed, to consider all waies, and meanes whereby an enemy may approach to us.
1668 J. Owen Nature Indwelling-sin viii. 99 It [sc. sin] adds in its workings, deceit unto power. The efficacy of that must needs be great, and is carefully to be watched against.
1770 O. Goldsmith Deserted Village 166 But in his duty prompt at every call, He watched and wept, he prayed and felt for all.
1817 W. Scott Rob Roy II. xiii. 288 I wad advise ony friends o' mine to gree wi' Rob; for watch as they like, and do what they like, they are sair apt to be harried when the lang nights come on.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > agreement > observance > observe, adhere, or keep a promise [verb (intransitive)]
to make (hold, pay, keep, yield or break) a vowc1290
beholda1400
to hold touch (also the touches)c1400
faithc1410
withholda1450
to keep touch1541
adherec1550
as good as one's word (also promise)c1560
inhere1563
watch1608
maximize1875
1608 A. Willet Hexapla in Exodum 673 With all their heart and endeuour they should watch vpon their office.
4. † h. to watch in: to watch a television programme. Obsolete.
a. To be on the look out; to keep a person or thing in sight, so as to be aware of any movement or change.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > observe or watch
spya1400
wait1399
espyc1405
watch1487
gate?1590
to look sharp1680
stag1796
to keep one's eyes peeled1844
to skin one's eyes1851
to peel one's eyes1875
to take sights1934
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) vi. 87 His twa men bad he..Ga to thair feris to rest and ly; For he vald vach thar com to se.
1547 tr. A. de Marcourt Bk. Marchauntes (new ed.) e j They haue a .C. eyes euer open to watch as the cat for the mous.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. xlvv The Byshoppe, whiche as the master of a shyppe sitteth watching at the Healme [L. qui tanquam gubernator nauis in specula sedeat intentus].
1607 G. Chapman Bussy D'Ambois v. 59 Sit vp to night, and watch.
1765 S. Foote Commissary ii. 41 Watch, Simon, that nobody comes up whilst he is here.
1839 T. T. Stoddart Songs & Poems 40 Quickly lead, Where the roving trout Watches round an eddy, With his eager snout Pointed up and ready.
1845 R. Browning Lost Leader in Bells & Pomegranates No. VII: Dramatic Romances & Lyrics 14 Shakespeare was of us, Milton was for us, Burns, Shelley, were with us,—they watch from their graves!
1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) xxii. 191 Did you ever see a dun, my dear; or a bailiff and his man? Two of the abominable wretches watched all last week at the greengrocer's opposite.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps ii. xi. 290 I was to watch, and call out the direction in which he was to run.
b. With indirect question.
ΚΠ
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 163 That made him forto waite and wacche Be alle weies how it ferde.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) vi. 62 I will ga vach ȝow preuely, Giff I heir oucht of thar cummyng.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lxxxiii. 262 We..layde our busshement in a lytell wood a .ii. legees fro this cyte, to watch whan my brother Huon shold passe by that way.
1586 G. Whitney Choice of Emblemes 3 The Crocodile, by whome th' Ægyptians watche, Howe farre that yeare shall mightie Nilus flowe, For theire shee likes to laie her egges and hatche.
1878 Ld. Tennyson Revenge xi But they dared not touch us again, for they fear'd that we still could sting, So they watch'd what the end would be.
1888 Glasgow Weekly Mail 11 Aug. 5/1 It will behove the people..to watch how the Government may endeavour to pave the way for this change.
c. To be on the watch for opportunities to do something.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expectation, waiting > wait, await [verb (intransitive)] > for an opportunity
to wait one's (or the) time, hour, opportunity, etc.1303
watch?1473
to wait for dead men's shoes1550
to have an eye to the wood1578
to bide one's time1853
?1473 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Recuyell Hist. Troye (1894) II. lf. 163 The Inhumanyte and terrybilite of the habitans and Indwellars, that allway wacche and wayte to do euyll and desplaysir to alle the world.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xvii. 930 Bot dede, that vachis ay to mar With all hyr mycht waik and vorthy, Had at his worschip gret Invy.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics ii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 94 The Groom..stript for Wrestling, smears his Limbs with Oyl, And watches with a trip his Foe to foil. View more context for this quotation
d. To be on the watch for (something expected).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expectation, waiting > wait for, await [verb (transitive)] > an event or opportunity
waita1400
to look for ——a1500
observe1541
watch1578
watch1831
1831 W. Scott Castle Dangerous v, in Tales of my Landlord 4th Ser. III. 308 The wonderful turns of fate which have attended this fortress, are sufficient to warrant any one to watch for what seem the peculiar indications of the will of Heaven.
1864 A. Trollope Small House at Allington I. xxvii. 272 But I can see you when you watch for the postman.
e. to watch after (a person): to follow with one's looks, watch the movements of. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > watch or observe > follow with eyes
to look after ——OE
followa1393
suea1398
pursue1558
tracea1701
to watch after1850
1850 W. M. Thackeray Pendennis II. xx. 199 You should have seen Fanny Bolton's eyes watching after the dove-coloured young lady.
1852 W. M. Thackeray Henry Esmond II. x. 183 Then he had seen her but for two days, and fled; now he beheld her day after day, and when she was at court, watched after her.
f. Cricket. to watch out: = field v. 2.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > fielding > field [verb (intransitive)]
stop1744
scout1786
to watch out1786
field1798
to look out1836
to fag out1839
to seek out1840
1786 G. White in Life & Lett. (1901) II. 160 Tom bats, his grand-mother bowls, and his great grand-mother watches out!!
1875 Baily's Monthly Mag. Apr. 403 So narrow is the ground, that long-leg and cover point respectively are quite out of sight, watching out on the hill-side.
1901 Winch. Coll. Notions Watch out, to field at nets for cricket.
g. to watch out (colloquial, originally U.S.): to look out, to be on one's guard.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > be vigilant or on one's guard [verb (intransitive)]
watcha1225
warea1325
bewarea1400
keepc1400
waitc1400
lay good waitc1440
to lie in great waitc1440
to look out?1553
to look about1599
awake1602
advigilate1623
to keep an eye open1651
perdue1656
to look sharp1680
waken1682
tout1699
to keep a sharp look-out1827
to keep one's weather-eye open1829
to keep (also have) an eye out1833
to keep one's eyes peeled1844
to watch out1845
to skin one's eyes1851
to have (also keep) one's eye on the ball1937
to watch one's back1949
1845 J. J. Hooper Some Adventures Capt. Simon Suggs ix. 115 He determined therefore to ‘watch out’ and keep himself ‘whole’ in a pecuniary point of view if possible.
a1888 J. W. Riley Little Orphant Annie iv You better mind yer parents,..Er the gobble-uns 'll git you Ef you Don't Watch Out!
1895 S. Crane Red Badge of Courage i. 8 You watch out, Henry, an' take good care of yerself in this here fighting business.
1909 J. Masefield Trag. Nan i, in Trag. Nan & Other Plays i. 21 You better watch out she don't tread a thy corns.
1918 in Times Lit. Supp. 11 July 325/4 The new chantey on Monday morning's route march was a thing to watch out for.
1957 R. Lawler Summer of 17th Doll i. i. 19 If you don't watch out, you're gunna start hating the poor bloke before he even gets here.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > broadcasting > audience > [verb] > television viewing
to look in1922
to watch in1928
teleview1931
1928 Daily News 17 Dec. 6/4 (heading) Pictures by Wireless. Where to ‘watch-in’ this week.
5. to watch over——. To exercise protecting care over; to keep in constant view in order to preserve from harm or error.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > watching or keeping guard > watch or keep guard over [verb (transitive)]
hold971
witec1000
ward?a1035
looklOE
bewakec1175
getec1175
wakec1175
i-witea1240
forelook1340
watch?a1400
to watch over——1526
award?c1550
guard1582
to wait over ——1659
shepherd1885
watchdog1902
warden1910
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. SSSiii As heerdmen, euer watchyng ouer the flocke of our lorde Iesu.
1655 Bp. J. Taylor Agenda, Sunday in Golden Grove 65 Watch over thy self, counsel thy self,..and judge thy self impartially.
1712 J. Addison Spectator No. 289. ¶2 That Providence which watches over all its Works?
1781 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall III. xxxi. 233 But there is a Providence (such at least was the opinion of the historian Procopius) that watches over innocence and folly.
1816 J. Wilson City of Plague ii. ii. 216 From heaven fair beings come at night To watch o'er mortals while they sleep.
1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) V. 404 The eye of the rulers is required always to watch over the young.
1879 J. Lubbock Sci. Lect. v. 166 We cannot put Stonehenge or the Wansdyke into a museum—all the more reason why we should watch over them where they are.
1899 M. Benson & J. Gourlay Temple of Mut i. 11 A flock of goats, watched over by an Arab girl.
6. † b. to watch and ward: to keep ‘watch and ward’. Also figurative. (For the transitive use see 10.)
a.
(a) To fulfil the duty of a watchman, sentinel, or guard.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > watching or keeping guard > watch or keep guard [verb (intransitive)] > perform duty of watchman
ward1390
wait1436
watch1487
to watch and ward1583
cockatoo1935
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) x. 572 Vp to the wall I sall ȝow bring, Gif god vs kepis fra persaving Of thame that wachis on the wall.
1538 T. Elyot Dict. Excubo, to watche, as they whiche in battaylle, or in the garde of a pryncis personne doo.
1540 Hoby in T. Wright Three Chapters Lett. Suppression Monasteries (1843) 284 Besydes that hit did cost me money to persons ffor a long tyme nyghtly to weche and to take hede lest any thyng shuld to be mysordered there.
1572 (a1500) Taill of Rauf Coilȝear (1882) 407 Him behouit neidlingis to watche on the wald.
1576 in Southampton Court Leet Rec. (1905) I. i. 131 That every householder..should watche in proper person or at the least provide a good honest and able watcheman for the more suertie and save garde of the towne.
1623 in R. Sanderson Rymer's Fœdera (1717) XVII. 529 The Lord Mayor shall cause certain Persons to watch at the Gates, and other like places in the Suburbs where Flesh may be brought, to view and search and to intercept the same.
c1660 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1641 (1955) II. 37 I watched on a horne-worke, neere our quarters.
1662 J. Davies tr. A. Olearius Voy. & Trav. Ambassadors 84 Great Lords and rich Merchants have a Guard in their Courts, who watch all night.
1791 A. Radcliffe Romance of Forest I. ii. 53 Peter was ordered to watch at the door.
(b) †quasi-transitive with complement nonce-use.
ΚΠ
1659 in E. Nicholas Nicholas Papers (1920) IV. 192 Ye army men are almost watched off theire legs.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > watching or keeping guard > watch or keep guard [verb (intransitive)] > perform duty of watchman
ward1390
wait1436
watch1487
to watch and ward1583
cockatoo1935
1583 G. Babington Very Fruitfull Expos. Commaundem. x. 499 No more quench you the fire by withdrawing the wood, than assuredly you staie the course of wicked conceites, when you watch and warde well ouer your senses.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii. viii. sig. T3 They for vs fight, they watch and dewly ward, And their bright Squadrons round about vs plant.
1601 W. Parry New Disc. Trauels Sir A. Sherley 6 Either part liued watching and warding.
1620 in J. Harland House & Farm Accts. Shuttleworths (1856) II. 242 To a man, watchinge and wardinge at Burneley faire, iiijd.
1681 W. Robertson Phraseologia generalis (1693) 1296 To watch and ward, excubare.
1693 T. Urquhart & P. A. Motteux tr. F. Rabelais 3rd Bk. Wks. Prol. 4 Every one did watch and ward, and not one was exempted from carrying the Basket.
c. Of a sailor: To be on duty during a watch.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > seafaring life > practice the calling of a sailor [verb (intransitive)] > be on watch
watch1799
1799 Ld. Nelson Sketch My Life in Dispatches & Lett. (1844) I. 5 I was placed in the Seahorse of 20 guns, with Captain Farmer, and watched in the foretop.
1820 W. Scoresby Acct. Arctic Regions II. 235 Each man watches four hours, and rests eight.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > thing hunted or game > action of game > [verb (intransitive)]
to stand, be (abide obs.) at bayc1314
to steal awayc1369
stalla1425
starta1425
rusec1425
beatc1470
lodgec1470
trason1486
rouse1532
angle1575
bolt1575
to take squat1583
baya1657
watch1677
fall1697
tree1699
to go away1755
to sink the wind1776
to get up1787
to go to ground1797
lie1797
to stand up1891
fly1897
1677 N. Cox Gentleman's Recreation (ed. 2) i. 10 An Otter Watcheth.
1686 R. Blome Gentlemans Recreation ii. 76 A Fox Kennelleth, a Badger Eartheth, an Otter Watcheth, a Boar Coucheth.
8. Nautical.† a. Of the timbers of a ship: ? to work loose. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > parts of vessels > body of vessel > [verb (intransitive)] > be strained (of timbers or hull)
watch1633
work1689
trip1869
1633–4 High Court of Admiralty Exam. (MS) 21 Jan. 50 Whilest she was at sea the beames did watch and worke too and froe.
b. Of a buoy: to float on the surface of the water.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > buoys, marks, or lighthouses > [verb (intransitive)] > float on surface (of buoy)
watch1805
1805 Naval Chron. 13 328 The Pilots..swept for and weighed (as no buoys watched) the four anchors.
1865 P. H. Gosse Land & Sea 84 All the buoys had not yet ‘watched’ but there was a tremendous sea running.
II. Transitive uses.† 9. † 10. † b. reflexive. To guard oneself. Obsolete.† 14. To do (a person a good or bad turn); to contrive (mischief). Obsolete.Apparently a substitute for wait v.2, suggested by the synonymity of wait v.1 and watch.
a. To keep under surveillance (a prisoner, a besieged army) in order to prevent escape or rescue; to set an armed watch upon (a place, road, passage). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > keeping watch > keep watch on [verb (transitive)]
biwitieOE
to look to ——c1330
watchc1330
to make or lay await onc1386
markc1400
to wait to ——c1440
to keep (also have) an (or one's) eye on (also upon)a1450
waken1535
to look unto ——1594
to carry a wary (also watchful, etc.) eye on (also upon)1596
to look after ——a1616
overwatch1618
snokea1652
to look up1855
surveil1960
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > watching or keeping guard > watch or keep guard over [verb (transitive)] > set watch or guard in (a place)
watchc1330
lay1560
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 5086 He dide sette in wardes seers Knyghte to wachem [v.r. waite], & squiers.
a1400 Sqr. lowe Degre 997 Than he watched your Chambre bryght, With men of armes hardy and wyght, For to take that squyer.
?a1400 Morte Arth. 1613 That they be weisely wachede and in warde holdene.
c1460 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Laud) l. 16893 And for that skylle lette wacche hym [sc. Jesus in the tomb] iije dais we you pray.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) v. l. 239 Schyr Ihone Butler to wache the furdis rycht, Out fra his men, of Wallace had a sicht.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) iii. l. 70 In a schaw..Thai lugyt thaim..To wache the way als besyly as thai mycht.
1568 R. Grafton Chron. II. 712 They should be kept, and with such vigilant persons continually watched.
1579 E. Hake Newes out of Powles Churchyarde newly Renued i. sig. B2 v This Nummus nowe..Is straightly watchte, and hardly kept with men of each degree.
b. To guard (a dead body, goods).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > watching or keeping guard > watch or keep guard over [verb (transitive)] > specifically a dead body or goods
watch1450
1450 W. Lomnor in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 36 And the shreue of Kent doth weche the body.
1587 Acc. Mary Q. Scots (Camden) 60 And for ij men hired to watch the plate at Ware and Peterborowe, iiij nights, vj s. viij d.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis xi, in tr. Virgil Wks. 539 Acœtes watch'd the Corps.
1823 ‘J. Bee’ Slang at Wake He, also, ‘died one day,’ so they say, and his ever-faithful groom watched the body during the night.
1884 ‘M. Twain’ Adventures Huckleberry Finn xxvii. 230 I peeped through a crack of the dining-room door, and see the men that was watching the corpse all sound asleep on their chairs.
1886 C. Scholl Phraseol. Dict. II. 834 The goods were watched all night by a watchman.
a. To guard against attack; to provide with a body of guards or armed watchmen; to serve as a guard to. Also to watch and ward (cf. 6b).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > watching or keeping guard > watch or keep guard over [verb (transitive)]
hold971
witec1000
ward?a1035
looklOE
bewakec1175
getec1175
wakec1175
i-witea1240
forelook1340
watch?a1400
to watch over——1526
award?c1550
guard1582
to wait over ——1659
shepherd1885
watchdog1902
warden1910
?a1400 Morte Arth. 547 He wylle werraye i-wysse, be ware ȝif the lykes, Wage many wyghtemene, and wache thy marches.
?a1400 Morte Arth. 613 Thane yschewes þe emperour..Arayede with his Romaynes..Sexty geauntes be-fore,..With weches and warlaws to wacchene his tentys.
1451 J. Gloys in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 68 Gonnore was wetched at Felbrygge Halle with xl persones of þe Lady Felbrygges tenaunts.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xv. 128 Bot for the trewis he lefit noucht Wachis till set to the Castele; Ilk nycht he gert men wach it wele.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin xi. 166 Than thei leged and pight teyntes and pavilouns, and hem rested, and lete the hoste be wacched.
1549–62 T. Sternhold & J. Hopkins Whole Bk. Psalms cxxvii. 1 Likewise in vaine men vndertake, Cities and holdes to watch and ward.
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 207 The King of Indians was watched with foure and twenty Elephants.
1820 W. Scott tr. Noble Moringer in Edinb. Ann. Reg. 1816 9 ii. p. ccccxcvi Wilt thou receive this weighty trust when I am o'er the sea? To watch and ward my castle strong, and to protect my land.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > be vigilant [verb (reflexive)] > guard (oneself) against
wareOE
witec1000
lookc1175
keepa1400
watch1489
precaution1700
1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) i. 520 For thar is nother duk ne baroun,..That euer may wauch hym with tresoune!
11. To keep (a person or thing) in view in order to observe any actions, movements, or changes that may occur.
a. with object a person (or animal). Sometimes implying the intent to attack or capture.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > watch or observe
keepc1000
overseeOE
waitc1300
advisec1325
awaita1375
to wait on ——c1384
markc1400
contemplec1429
to keep (also have) an (or one's) eye on (also upon)a1450
to look straitly to?c1450
to wait after ——c1460
vizy1488
contemplatea1533
vise1551
pry?1553
observe1567
eye1592
over-eye?1592
watch1600
outwatch1607
spell1633
superintend1654
under-watch1654
tent1721
evigilate1727
twig1764
stag1796
eye-serve1800
spy1806
deek1825
screw1905
clock1911
1600 W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream ii. i. 177 Hauing once this iuice, Ile watch Titania, when she is a sleepe, And droppe the liquor of it, in her eyes. View more context for this quotation
1650 in Hamilton Papers (1880) 255 Evre since I came hether I have bine so narowly wached by the severe Christans that I could not answer your letter before now.
1675 Char. Town-gallant 3 He watches Wenches just as Tumblers do Rabbits.
1821 W. Scott Kenilworth I. viii. 200 Here has been my hang-dog kinsman watching you as close as ever cat watched a mouse.
1831 G. P. R. James Philip Augustus v He became aware that he was watched by a party of men, whose appearance had nothing in it very consolatory to the journeyer of those days.
1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop i. ix. 134 She would take her station here at dusk, and watch the people as they passed up and down the street.
1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam lxxxiii. 121 I watch thee from the quiet shore; Thy spirit up to mine can reach. View more context for this quotation
1902 J. Buchan Watcher by Threshold i. 81 I had not gone twenty yards..ere I knew I was watched.
1917 Eng. Hist. Rev. Oct. 495 To divide them [the Marches] between the Nevilles and the Percies, setting each to watch the other.
b. with object a thing.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > watch or observe > specifically a thing
watch?1518
?1518 Cocke Lorelles Bote sig. C.j One kepte ye compas and watched ye our glasse.
1645 R. Stapleton tr. Musaeus Ερωτοπαιγνιον: Loves Hero & Leander C 2 On her high turret Hero watcht the flame, And as stiffe gales from any quarter came, Still screen'd it with the sacred robe she wore.
1798 S. T. Coleridge Anc. Marinere iv, in W. Wordsworth & S. T. Coleridge Lyrical Ballads 24 Within the shadow of the ship I watch'd their rich attire: Blue, glossy green, and velvet black They coil'd and swam.
1836 C. Dickens Sketches by Boz 1st Ser. I. 174 ‘You don't think it's at all an out-of-the-way affair then?’ asked Mr. Septimus Hicks, who had watched the countenance of Tibbs in mute astonishment.
1885 J. Ruskin Præterita I. iv. 124 But, before everything, at this time, came my pleasure in merely watching the sea.
1900 G. C. Brodrick Mem. & Impr. 293 There we lay, surrounded by twenty or thirty ships..all assembled on the same errand, vainly watching the heavens.
1908 E. Fowler Between Trent & Ancholme 361 We have watched the red and blue Harvest-waggons.
c. with object a process or course of events.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > watch or observe > specifically a process or course of events
watch1597
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II iii. iii. 72 Thus long haue we stoode, To watch the feareful bending of thy knee. View more context for this quotation
1655 I. Walton Compl. Angler (ed. 2) x. 237 Watch their going forth of their holes and returning.
1827 M. Faraday Chem. Manip. xix. 489 By this arrangement..the operations..are more conveniently watched.
1831 G. P. R. James Philip Augustus iii While the hermit held the arm from which the blood was just beginning to flow, she..anxiously watched the returning animation.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. v. 662 It was remarked by those who watched their deportment that they had come back from the carnage of Taunton in a fierce and excited state.
d. with adverb or phrase as complement.
ΚΠ
1660 in E. Nicholas Nicholas Papers (1920) IV. 237 [He] was there discourd by..Colonel Eubank and watcht to his lodging.
1840 W. M. Thackeray Shabby Genteel Story v Many a time had she..painted herself as Helen, tying a sash round her knight's cuirass, and watching him forth to battle.
1843 C. Dickens Martin Chuzzlewit (1844) xiii. 176 Didn't I watch him into Codger's commercial boarding-house, and watch him out, and watch him home to his hotel.
1846 C. Dickens Dombey & Son (1848) viii. 78 Then he would turn his head, and watch the child away, and say [etc.].
1849 C. Brontë Shirley III. x. 222 He watched her down; he watched her in; himself shut the door: he knew she was safe.
1876 ‘G. Eliot’ Daniel Deronda I. i. xvii. 344 He looked out for a perfectly solitary spot where he..could watch out the light of sunset.
e. with accusative and infinitive (without to) or present participle.
ΚΠ
1848 E. C. Gaskell Mary Barton II. xiv. 181 Mary watched the boatman leave the house.
1859 W. M. Thackeray Virginians xvii Lady Maria..scarcely lifted up her head from her embroidery, to watch the aunt retreating.
1859 E. FitzGerald tr. Rubáiyát Omar Khayyám xxxvi. 8 For in the Market-place, one Dusk of Day, I watch'd the Potter thumping his wet Clay.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xxv. 183 Lying upon my back, I watched the clouds forming.
1896 A. E. Housman Shropshire Lad lxii. 94 They put arsenic in his meat And stared aghast to watch him eat.
1908 E. Fowler Between Trent & Ancholme 41 We used to watch the small bees going in and out of a hole in the wall.
12.
a. To keep in mental view; to keep oneself informed about (a course of events, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > attention > take notice of, heed [verb (transitive)]
yemec897
understandc1000
beseea1225
heeda1225
bihedec1250
tentc1330
to look into ——c1350
rewardc1350
undertakea1382
considerc1385
recorda1393
behold?a1400
receivea1425
advertc1425
attend1432
advertise?a1439
regard1526
respect1543
eye?c1550
mind1559
panse1559
to take knowledge of1566
to consider of1569
suspect1590
pass1609
matter1652
watch1676
society > communication > information > action of informing > give (information) [verb (transitive)] > keep oneself informed about (events, etc.)
watch1676
1676 J. Dryden Aureng-Zebe iii. 36 No hour of pleasure should pass empty by, Youth should watch joys, and shoot 'em as they flie.
1677 Earl of Essex in C. E. Pike Essex Papers (1913) II. 117 Hee parted here with great professions of friend~ship..yet however I would be glad you did a little watch his proceedings.
1797 W. Godwin Enquirer i. vi. 41 We must watch their minutest actions.
1838 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece V. xliv. 357 We cannot believe that he..would willingly have foregone the opportunity of watching the proceedings of his colleagues.
1843 R. J. Graves Syst. Clin. Med. ix. 99 The cerebral symptoms should be always watched with the most unremitting and anxious attention.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. v. 535 The war which was then raging in Hungary..was watched by all Europe with interest almost as great as that which the Crusades had excited five hundred years earlier.
1868 E. Edwards Life Sir W. Ralegh I. v. 78 The natural jealousy of the Spaniards watched every naval enterprise of Englishmen.
1871 R. W. Dale Ten Commandm. viii. 204 Merchants watch the rise and fall of the markets in remote countries.
1886 J. Ruskin Præterita II. i. 25 [My father] watched with some anxiety the use I should make of this first command of money.
1897 J. L. Allen Choir Invisible xxiii. 347 She had never ceased to watch his career as part of her very life.
b. To be on the alert to avail oneself of (opportunities, advantages); to be vigilant to choose (one's time for action); †to look out for, wait expectantly for (some coming event).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expectation, waiting > wait for, await [verb (transitive)]
bidec950
keepc1000
abideOE
i-kepe?c1225
lookc1225
bidea1300
sustainc1350
await1393
remainc1455
tarry?a1475
attenda1513
expect1536
to stay on1540
watch1578
remain1585
staya1586
to stay for ——1602
tend1604
to bide upona1616
behold1642
prestolate1653
expecta1664
wait1746
the world > action or operation > advantage > an opportunity > give opportunity for [verb (transitive)] > look out for an opportunity
to wait one's time1303
observe1541
watch1578
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expectation, waiting > wait for, await [verb (transitive)] > an event or opportunity
waita1400
to look for ——a1500
observe1541
watch1578
watch1831
1578 H. Wotton tr. J. Yver Courtlie Controuersie 97 Ponifre gaue a golden fee vnto his olde attorney, who watching hir time, employed all hir wicked inuentions which she had by long vse..collected.
?1592 Trag. Solyman & Perseda sig. A3 I watch you vauntages.
1594 C. Marlowe & T. Nashe Dido iii. sig. Dv O no God wot, I cannot watch my time, Nor quit good turnes with double fee downe told.
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary i. 228 But it is the custome, that he that hath once payed the tribute may any time after enter this Church without paying any thing, if he can watch the opportunity of other Christians entering the same.
1639 J. Clarke Paroemiologia 237 He that meanes to make a good market of his ware, must watch an opportunity to open his shop.
1642 J. Taylor Whole Life Henry Walker sig. A2v Walker stood watching the Kings comming by.
1763 G. Colman Jealous Wife (ed. 3) iii. ii. 61 Did not She watch her Opportunity, and come to You just as I went out?
1821 W. Scott Kenilworth III. ii. 27 It was thus that he met not Wayland, who was impatiently watching his arrival.
1836 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers (1837) ii. 20 Mr. Winkle eagerly watched his opportunity. It was not long wanting.
1886 C. Scholl Phraseol. Dict. II. 834 You must watch your opportunity to sell the goods... Watch the best opportunity for selling.
c. Of a barrister: To attend the trial of (a case) in order to note any point that may arise to affect the interests of a client who is not a party in the litigation, and to raise objections to any questions or evidence that may be inadmissible as compromising the client.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > legal profession > practice law [verb (transitive)] > watch case as barrister
watch1890
1890 M. Williams Leaves of Life I. 87 Serjeant Ballantine's clerk..came up and asked me whether, as his chief was absent, I would watch a case that was about to be argued.
d. To exercise care, caution, or restraint about (something). to watch one's step: see step n.1 10b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > caution > be cautious about [verb (transitive)]
guard1742
watch1837
1837 H. Martineau Society in Amer. I. ii. 187 The valetudinarians of the place..watch their own and each others' weight.
1958 ‘J. Castle’ & A. Hailey Flight into Danger i. 23 You'd better watch that waistline, Pete.
1963 ‘W. Haggard’ High Wire iv. 40 Rex said deliberately: ‘I have to watch champagne.’ ‘Really? But this one won't damage you.’
1969 G. Croudace Blackadder iv. 32 Pauline ate nothing but a small, lightly-grilled steak and a lettuce leaf; it was obvious that she had to watch her weight.
1976 M. Machlin Pipeline lvii. 573 Just watch your mouth... A man died here tonight.
1981 G. Markstein Ultimate Issue 26 It was a comparatively shabby office... Euram Marketing gave a distinct impression of watching the pennies.
e. to watch it: to be careful. Frequently as imperative (as a threat or warning). colloquial.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > caution > be cautious or take care [verb (intransitive)]
warea1000
biwaitc1456
to look to it1548
to look out?1553
to play safe1601
to be on the sure side1668
to mind out1823
to keep one's powder dry1837
to play it safe1873
to have a care1876
to watch it1916
to watch (or mind) one's step1934
1916 ‘Taffrail’ Pincher Martin vi. 100 ‘Don't yer go lendin' money to any other blokes wot ain't fit to be trusted.’ ‘I'll watch it.’
1943 K. Tennant Ride on Stranger xviii. 203 You're not getting any younger yourself, kid. You want to watch it.
1954 W. Faulkner Fable 334 ‘All right,’ the corporal said. ‘Watch it now.’
1966 ‘W. Cooper’ Mem. New Man ii. iv. 144 I replied in the proletarian vernacular of the times. ‘Watch it!’
1978 D. Bloodworth Crosstalk xxii. 170 We really do have to watch it a bit. Thank God we're officially engaged.
13.
a. To exercise protecting vigilance over; to tend (a flock).
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > sheep-farming > rear sheep or wool [verb (transitive)] > tend flock
watch1526
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Luke ii. f. lxxiiijv There were..shepherds..watching their flocke by nyght.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ix. 156 Man he made..and, O indignitie! Subjected to his service Angel wings, And flaming Ministers to watch and tend Thir earthie Charge. View more context for this quotation
1700 N. Tate & N. Brady Suppl. to New Version Psalms 18 While Shepherds watch'd their Flocks by Night.
1848 H. W. Longfellow Resignation 1 There is no flock, however watched and tended, But one dead lamb is there!
b. To sit up beside (a sick person) in order to render help; to keep watch beside (a dead body).
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > obsequies > [verb (transitive)] > hold wake over
wakec1300
bewakec1320
watch1526
the world > health and disease > healing > art or science of medicine > practice of healing art > practise the healing art [verb (transitive)] > tend the sick
to look to ——a1450
norrya1450
watch1526
attendc1572
assist1664
nurse1751
nurse-tend1792
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection i. sig. Fvi I am the soule of hym that thou watched the last nyght.
1590 Aldeburgh Rec. in Notes & Queries 12th Ser. VII. 504/1 P[ai]d to Durrants wyfe for watchinge of Father profet,..iiid.
1592 R. Greene Vision sig. D4v Tomkins..saw hee was in his bed,..watcht by his mother and his wife.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > cause or effect (harm) [verb (transitive)]
visita1382
watcha1586
wreak1817
to play hob1838
to raise hob1911
the world > action or operation > advantage > be advantageous or beneficial to [verb (transitive)] > do one a good turn
watcha1586
serve1794
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > harm, injury, or wrong > harm, injure, or commit offence against [verb (transitive)]
misdoc1230
forworkc1275
wrongc1330
to do (one) spite or a spitec1380
to commit (also do, make) an offencec1384
offenda1387
unrighta1393
to do disease toc1400
injuryc1484
offence1512
misfease1571
watcha1586
injure1597
envya1625
disserve1637
hinder1639
disservice1837
serve1887
the mind > will > intention > planning > plotting > plot (a purpose) or hatch (a plot [verb (transitive)] > evil or mischief
brewc1250
watcha1586
a1586 Sir P. Sidney tr. Psalmes David (1823) xvii. viii Yet their high hartes looke so low As how to watch our overthrow.
1586 W. Webbe Disc. Eng. Poetrie sig. F.i v Which iniury though he meanes to doo me in myrth, yet I hope he wyll make me some suffycient recompence, or els I shall goe neere to watch hym the like or a worse turne.
1639 J. Clarke Paroemiologia 173 Harme watch harme catch.
1639 J. Clarke Paroemiologia 209 I'le watch you a good turne.
1705 E. Hickeringill Priest-craft 16 But look to't, Harm watch, harm catch: If you will needs bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
15. To provide (a town) with watchmen. In passive, to be policed by a specified body of men.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > watching or keeping guard > watch or keep guard over [verb (transitive)] > provide (a town) with watchmen
watch1806
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > watching or keeping guard > watch or keep guard [verb (intransitive)] > perform duty of watchman > have specific body of watchmen
watch1806
1806 J. Carr Stranger in Ireland 52 At night the city is admirably watched and patroled. Most of the watchmen are armed with muskets, others with a pike [etc.].
1834 Picture of Liverpool 47 The Commissioners for Watching and Lighting the town.
1909 Rep. H.M. Inspectors of Constabulary 45 The municipal boroughs of Maidenhead and Newbury are watched by the county constabulary.
16. Falconry. To prevent (a hawk) from sleeping, in order to tame it.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > hawking > [verb (transitive)] > other hawking procedures
enseamc1450
imp1477
rebuke1486
feat1508
mewc1515
canvas1559
cope1575
mail1575
man1575
watchc1575
to imp the wings of1596
pepper1618
stone1618
brail1643
feak1686
hack1873
c1575 Perfect Bk. Kepinge Sparhawkes (1886) 16 Note, neuer wache sorehawke for then you take her stomake awaye, the rye cometh on so fast, & so hurt her.
1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida iii. ii. 42 What are you gone againe, you must be watcht ere you be made tame, must you? View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) iii. iii. 23 My Lord shall neuer rest, I'le watch him tame, and talke him out of patience. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) iv. i. 181 Another way I haue to man my Haggard, To make her come, and know her Keepers call: That is, to watch her, as we watch these Kites. View more context for this quotation
1689 R. Milward Selden's Table-talk 31 Lecturers..preach the People tame (as a man watches a Hawk) and then they do what they list with them.
17. Hunting. To track (an otter) into its lair.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > hunting specific animals > [verb (transitive)] > hunt otter > track
watch1575
1575 G. Gascoigne Noble Arte Venerie lxxix. 239 We watch and vent an Otter.
1686 R. Blome Gentlemans Recreation ii. 76 Terms for Lodging and Dislodging of Beasts... Watch and Vent the Otter.
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory ii. 134/2 An Otter: We watch, and Vent him, when we disturb him.
Draft additions June 2020
to watch on intransitive. To observe an event without participating; to be an onlooker or spectator.Cf. to look on 1a at look v. Phrasal verbs 1.
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1948 N.Y. Times 11 Apr. i. 31/1 Cadet Capt. A. W. Braswell marched at the head of the West Point cadets... Watching on from a point near the reviewing stand was Police Commissioner Arthur W. Wallander.
1982 Princeton Alumni Weekly 11 Jan. 33/1 The many class members who watched on in disbelief and joy as Princeton defeated Yale in football.
2019 Eastern Daily Press (Norwich) (Nexis) 17 June A Norfolk couple..watched on helplessly as their Grade II listed thatched cottage went up in flames.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1923; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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