I. ˈwäch, ˈwȯch verb
Etymology: Middle English wacchen, from Old English wæccan — more at wake
Date: before 12th century
intransitive verb
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 watch ed as stocks fell sharply
4. : to be expectant : wait
watch for the signal
transitive verb
1. : to keep under guard
2.
a. : to observe closely in order to check on action or change
being watch ed by the police
b. : to look at : observe
sat and watch ed the crowd
c. : to look on at
watch television
watch a ball game
3.
a. : to take care of : tend
b. : to be careful of
watch es his diet
4. : to be on the alert for : bide
watch ed her opportunity
•
- watch it
- watch one's step
- watch over
II. noun
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : the act of keeping awake to guard, protect, or attend
b. obsolete : 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
a winter storm watch
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 — usually used in plural
the silent watch 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 especially of an overseeing or managerial office
the business grew on her watch
6. : a portable timepiece designed to be worn (as on the wrist) or carried in the pocket — compare clock