[watch] vb [ME wacchen, fr. OE waeccan--more at wake] vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to keep vigil as a devotional exercise b: to be awake during the night
2. a: to be attentive or vigilant b: to keep guard 3 a: to keep someone or something under close observation b: to observe as a spectator "the country ~ed as stocks fell sharply"
4: to be expectant: wait "~ for the signal" ~ vt 1: to keep under guard
2. a: to observe closely in order to check on action or change "being ~ed by the police" b: to look at: observe "sat and ~ed the crowd" c: to look on at "~ television" "~ a ball game" 3 a: to take care of: tend b: to be careful of "~es his diet"
4: to be on the alert for: bide "~ed her opportunity" -- watch it : look out: be careful "watch it when you handle the glassware" -- watch one's step : to proceed with extreme care: act or talk warily -- watch over : to have charge of: superintend
[2]watch n (bef. 12c) 1 a: the act of keeping awake to guard, protect, or attend b obs: the state of being wakeful c: a wake over a dead body d: a state of alert and continuous attention e: close observation: surveillance f: a notice or bulletin that alerts the public to the possibility of severe weather conditions occurring in the near future "winter storm ~"
2. a: any of the definite divisions of the night made by ancient peoples b: one of the indeterminate intervals marking the passage of night--usu. used in pl. "the silent ~es of the night" 3 a: lookout, watchman b archaic: the office or function of a sentinel or guard
4. a: a body of soldiers or sentinels making up a guard b: a watchman or body of watchmen formerly assigned to patrol the streets of a town at night, announce the hours, and act as police
5. a (1): a portion of time during which a part of a ship's company is on duty (2): the part of a ship's company required to be on duty during a particular watch (3): a sailor's assigned duty period b: a period of duty: shift c: a term as holder esp. of an overseeing or managerial office "the business grew on her ~"
6: a portable timepiece designed to be worn (as on the wrist) or carried in the pocket--compare clock