n. & v.
--n.
1. any of various persons or devices for checking or warning about a situation, operation, etc.
2 a school pupil with disciplinary or other special duties.
3 a a television receiver used in a studio to select or verify the picture being broadcast. b visual display unit.
4 a person who listens to and reports on foreign broadcasts etc.
5 a detector of radioactive contamination.
6 Zool. any tropical lizard of the genus Varanus, supposed to give warning of the approach of crocodiles.
7 a heavily armed shallow-draught warship.
--v.tr.
1. act as a monitor of.
2 maintain regular surveillance over.
3 regulate the strength of (a recorded or transmitted signal).
Derivatives:
monitorial adj. monitorship n.
Etymology: L f. monere monit- warn