Definitions for the word "watch" from multiple English dictionaries.
1. v. i.
The act of watching; forbearance of sleep; vigil; wakeful, vigilant, or constantly observant attention; close observation; guard; preservative or preventive vigilance; formerly, a watching or guarding by night.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
2. v. i.
One who watches, or those who watch; a watchman, or a body of watchmen; a sentry; a guard.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
3. v. i.
The post or office of a watchman; also, the place where a watchman is posted, or where a guard is kept.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
4. v. i.
The period of the night during which a person does duty as a sentinel, or guard; the time from the placing of a sentinel till his relief; hence, a division of the night.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
5. v. i.
A small timepiece, or chronometer, to be carried about the person, the machinery of which is moved by a spring.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
6. n.
An allotted portion of time, usually four hour for standing watch, or being on deck ready for duty. Cf. Dogwatch.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
7. n.
That part, usually one half, of the officers and crew, who together attend to the working of a vessel for an allotted time, usually four hours. The watches are designated as the port watch, and the starboard watch.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
8. v. i.
To be awake; to be or continue without sleep; to wake; to keep vigil.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
9. v. i.
To be attentive or vigilant; to give heed; to be on the lookout; to keep guard; to act as sentinel.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
10. v. i.
To be expectant; to look with expectation; to wait; to seek opportunity.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
11. v. i.
To remain awake with any one as nurse or attendant; to attend on the sick during the night; as, to watch with a man in a fever.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
12. v. i.
To serve the purpose of a watchman by floating properly in its place; -- said of a buoy.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
13. v. t.
To give heed to; to observe the actions or motions of, for any purpose; to keep in view; not to lose from sight and observation; as, to watch the progress of a bill in the legislature.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
14. v. t.
To tend; to guard; to have in keeping.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
15. v.
1 keep the eyes fixed on. 2 keep under observation; follow observantly. 3 (often foll. By for) be in an alert state; be vigilant. 4 (foll. By over) look after; take care of. n. 1 small portable timepiece for carrying on the wrist or in a pocket. 2 state of alert or constant observation or attention. 3 naut. A usu. Four-hour spell of duty. B (in full starboard or port watch) each of the halves into which a ship''s crew is divided to take alternate watches. 4 hist. Watchman or watchmen. on the watch for waiting for (an anticipated occurrence). Watch it (or oneself) colloq. Be careful. Watch out (often foll. By for) be on one''s guard. watcher n. (also in comb.). [old english: related to *wake1]
Source: Oxford English Dictionary, 1884
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