- watch and ward
- noun Date: 14th century 1. continuous unbroken vigilance and guard 2. service as a watchman or sentinel required from a feudal tenant
New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.
watch and ward
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Watch and ward — Watch Watch (w[o^]ch), n. [OE. wacche, AS. w[ae]cce, fr. wacian to wake; akin to D. wacht, waak, G. wacht, wache. [root]134. See {Wake}, v. i. ] [1913 Webster] 1. The act of watching; forbearance of sleep; vigil; wakeful, vigilant, or constantly… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
watch and ward — watch′ and ward′ n. a continuous watch or vigil • Etymology: 1350–1400 … From formal English to slang
watch and ward — the act of watching as a sentinel: now chiefly in the titles of societies self appointed as guardians of a community s morals … English World dictionary
Watch and Ward — Infobox Book | name = Watch and Ward image caption = Cover of 1979 Grove Press edition of Watch and Ward author = Henry James country = United States language = English genre = Novel publisher = Houghton, Osgood and Company, Boston release date … Wikipedia
watch and ward — noun or watching and warding Etymology: Middle English wacche and warde 1. : the act of keeping guard : continuous unbroken vigilance and guard a handful of men kept watch and ward against the Iroquois Francis Parkman 2 … Useful english dictionary
Watch and Ward Society — New England Watch and Ward Society Motto Manu forti ( With a strong hand )[1] Formation 1879 … Wikipedia
watch and ward — The duty of constables. Ward, guard, or custodia, as it was variously called, was a duty performed mainly in the daytime and looked chiefly to the apprehension of rioters and highway robbers. Watch was a duty which the constables performed only… … Ballentine's law dictionary
Watch and Ward — ♦ The duty, especially in boroughs, to arrange day (ward) and night (watch) for the apprehension of those who break the peace. (Sayles, George O. The King s Parliament of England, 146) … Medieval glossary
watch and ward — a continuous watch or vigil, by or as by night and by day, esp. for the purpose of guarding. [1350 1400; ME] * * * … Universalium
watch and ward — constant wakefulness, constant awareness … English contemporary dictionary
