— sentinellike , adj. — sentinelship , n.
/sen"tn l/ , n. , v. , sentineled, sentineling or ( esp. Brit. ) sentinelled, sentinelling .
n.
1. a person or thing that watches or stands as if watching.
2. a soldier stationed as a guard to challenge all comers and prevent a surprise attack: to stand sentinel.
3. Also called tag . Computers. a symbol, mark, or other labeling device indicating the beginning or end of a unit of information.
v.t.
4. to watch over or guard as a sentinel.
[ 1570-80; sentinelle sentinella, deriv. of OIt sentina vigilance (L sent ( ire ) to observe) + -ina -INE 2 ) ]
Syn. 1, 2. sentry, guard, watch, lookout.