Nearby Words
verb (used without object)
1.
to be alertly on the lookout, look attentively, or observe, as to see what comes, is done, or happens: to watch while an experiment is performed.
2.
to look or wait attentively and expectantly (usually followed by for): to watch for a signal; to watch for an opportunity.
3.
to be careful or cautious: Watch when you cross the street.
4.
to keep awake, especially for a purpose; remain vigilant, as for protection or safekeeping: to watch with a sick person.
5.
EXPANDto keep vigil, as for devotional purposes.
6.
COLLAPSEto keep guard: She was assigned to watch at the door.
verb (used with object)
7.
to keep under attentive view or observation, as in order to see or learn something; view attentively or with interest: to watch a play; to watch a football game.
8.
to contemplate or regard mentally: to watch his progress.
9.
to look or wait attentively and expectantly for: to watch one's opportunity.
10.
to guard, tend, or oversee, especially for protection or safekeeping: to watch the baby.
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Watched over
is always a great word to know.
So is quincunx. Does it mean:
| an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle. |
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
noun
Verb phrases11.
close, continuous observation for the purpose of seeing or discovering something: Their watch for the birds was unrewarding.
12.
vigilant guard, as for protection or restraint: to keep watch for prowlers.
13.
a keeping awake for some special purpose: a watch beside a sickbed.
14.
a period of time for watching or keeping guard: to stand the first watch.
15.
EXPANDa small, portable timepiece, as a wrist watch or pocket watch.
16.
a chronometer.
17.
Nautical.
a.
a period of time, usually four hours, during which one part of a ship's crew is on duty, taking turns with another part.
b.
the officers and crew who attend to the working of a ship for an allotted period of time.
18.
one of the periods, usually three or four, into which the night was divided in ancient times, as by the Greeks or Hebrews: the fourth watch of the night.
19.
a person or group that watches, as a lookout, guard, or sentinel: A watch was posted at sunset.
20.
Also called storm watch. Meteorology. an announcement from the U.S. National Weather Service alerting the public that dangerous weather conditions are a possibility and that vigilance and precautionary preparations are advised: hurricane watch, tornado watch. Compare advisory (def. 5), warning (def. 3).
21.
COLLAPSEa flock of nightingales.
22.
watch out, to be on one's guard; be cautious: Watch out for cars when you cross the road.
23.
Idiomswatch over, to guard for protection or safekeeping: She watched over us like a mother hen over her brood.
24.
on the watch, vigilant; alert: The hunter was on the watch for game.
25.
watch oneself,
a.
to be cautious.
b.
to practice discretion or self-restraint.
Origin:
before 900; 1580–90 for def. 15; (v.) Middle English wacchen, Old English wæccan, doublet of wacian to be awake (see wake1); (noun) Middle English wacche, Old English wæcce, derivative of wæccan
before 900; 1580–90 for def. 15; (v.) Middle English wacchen, Old English wæccan, doublet of wacian to be awake (see wake1); (noun) Middle English wacche, Old English wæcce, derivative of wæccan
Related forms
un·watched, adjective
un·watch·ing, adjective
well-watched, adjective
Synonyms
1. Watch, look, see imply being aware of things around one by perceiving them through the eyes. To watch is to be a spectator, to look on or observe, or to fix the attention upon during passage of time: to watch while a procession passes. To look is to direct the gaze with the intention of seeing, to use the eyesight with attention: to look for violets in the spring; to look at articles displayed for sale. To see is to perceive with the eyes, to obtain a visual impression, with or without fixing the attention: animals able to see in the dark. 9. await. 10. protect. 11. inspection, attention. 12. vigil.
1. Watch, look, see imply being aware of things around one by perceiving them through the eyes. To watch is to be a spectator, to look on or observe, or to fix the attention upon during passage of time: to watch while a procession passes. To look is to direct the gaze with the intention of seeing, to use the eyesight with attention: to look for violets in the spring; to look at articles displayed for sale. To see is to perceive with the eyes, to obtain a visual impression, with or without fixing the attention: animals able to see in the dark. 9. await. 10. protect. 11. inspection, attention. 12. vigil.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Link To watched over
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
watch
O.E. wæcce "a watching," from wæccan (see watch (v.)). Sense of "sentinel" is recorded from c.1300; that of "person or group officially patroling a town (esp. at night) to keep order, etc." is first recorded 1539. Meaning "period of time in which a division of
EXPAND a ship's crew remains on deck" is from 1585. Sense of "period into which a night was divided in ancient times" translates L. vigilia, Gk. phylake, Heb. ashmoreth.
COLLAPSE
"The Hebrews divided the night into three watches, the Greeks usually into four (sometimes five), the Romans (followed by the Jews in New Testament times) into four." [OED]The meaning "small timepiece" is from 1588, developing from that of "a clock to wake up sleepers" (1440). Watchmaker is recorded from 1630; watchtower is attested from 1544.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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