WATCHING • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Watching

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/wˈɑtʃɪŋ/ Listen

verb

Watch v. t. (past & past part. watched; pres. part. watching)

1.

To give heed to; to observe the actions or motions of, for any purpose; to keep in view; not to lose from sight and observation; as, to watch the progress of a bill in the legislature. "Saul also sent messengers unto David's house to watch him, and to slay him." "I must cool a little, and watch my opportunity." "In lazy mood I watched the little circles die."

2.

To tend; to guard; to have in keeping. "And flaming ministers, to watch and tend Their earthy charge." "Paris watched the flocks in the groves of Ida."

Watch v. i.

1.

To be awake; to be or continue without sleep; to wake; to keep vigil. "I have two nights watched with you." "Couldest thou not watch one hour?"

2.

To be attentive or vigilant; to give heed; to be on the lookout; to keep guard; to act as sentinel. "Take ye heed, watch and pray." "The Son gave signal high To the bright minister that watched."

3.

To be expectant; to look with expectation; to wait; to seek opportunity. "My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning."

4.

To remain awake with any one as nurse or attendant; to attend on the sick during the night; as, to watch with a man in a fever.

5.

(Naut.) To serve the purpose of a watchman by floating properly in its place; said of a buoy.

To watch over, to be cautiously observant of; to inspect, superintend, and guard.

See images of 'Watching'

Etymology of 'Watching'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Watching" Quotes from Famous Books

... The necessity of watching with jealous anxiety for the preservation of the Union was earnestly pressed upon his fellow-citizens by the Father of his Country in his Farewell Address. He has there told us that "while experience shall not have demonstrated its impracticability, ...

— A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents - Section 1 (of 2) of Volume 3: Andrew Jackson (Second Term) • James D. Richardson

... to meet at intervals during the day. One of the couple (say the female) returns to the trees where they are accustomed to meet, and after a time becoming impatient or anxious at the delay of her consort, utters a very long, clear call-note. He is perhaps a quarter of a mile away, watching for a frog beside a pool, or beating over a thistle bed, but he hears the note and presently responds with one of equal power. Then, perhaps, for half-an-hour, at intervals of half-a-minute, the birds answer each other, though the powerful call of the one must interfere ...

— The Truth About Woman • C. Gasquoine Hartley

... brightening sea. It was becoming of a deeper blue as the sky grew lighter, except at that point of the east where earth and heaven seemed to be kindling with a mighty fire. There the haze was glowing with purple and crimson; and there was Henri intently watching for the first golden spark of the sun, when Toussaint touched his shoulder, and pointed to the northwards. Shading his eyes with his hand, Christophe strove to penetrate the grey mists which ...

— The Hour and the Man - An Historical Romance • Harriet Martineau

... and when sugar has dissolved cook thinly pared peaches, either sliced or cut in halves, in the hot syrup until clear, watching closely that they do not cook too soft. Place carefully in glass jars, pour hot syrup over ...

— Mary at the Farm and Book of Recipes Compiled during Her Visit - among the "Pennsylvania Germans" • Edith M. Thomas

... other hand, it was urged, that the rule of watching the very first encroachments of power could only have place where the opposition to it could be regular, peaceful, and legal: that though the refusal of the king's present demand might seem of this nature, yet in reality it involved consequences ...

— The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.I., Part F. - From Charles II. to James II. • David Hume

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