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Behind in time; indicating a time earlier than the true time; as, the clock or watch is slow.

One who speculates. Specifically: (a) An observer; a contemplator; hence, a spy; a watcher. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

The fusee of a watch.

circling round a center or pole and gradually receding from it; as, the spiral curve of a watch spring.

To pawn; to pledge; as, spout a watch. [Cant]

To start or rise suddenly, as from a covert. Watchful as fowlers when their game will spring. Otway.

One who keeps a constant watch of the conduct of others. "These wretched spies of wit." Dryden.

An arbor, as of a wheel or a pinion of a watch.

To watch; to dog, or keep track of. [Prov. Eng. or Slang] H. Kingsley.

ud, stately step or walk. Thus twice before, . . . With martial stalk hath he gone by our watch. Shak. The which with monstrous stalk behind him stepped. Spenser.

The men in the starboard watch. [Obs.] R. H. Dana, Jr.

The softest, steadiest plume." Keble. Their feet steady, their hands diligent, their eyes watchful, and their hearts resolute. Sir P. Sidney.

Anything resembling a stem or stalk; as, the stem of a tobacco pipe; the stem of a watch case, or that part to which the ring, by which it is suspended, is attached.

A stem-winding watch. [Colloq.]

Wound by mechanism connected with the stem; as, a stem-winding watch.

anon, at intervals and repeatedly; continually; ever and anon; now and then. And like the watchful minutes to the hour, Still and anon cheered up the heavy time. Shak.

tinction from a valve which is operated by the action of the fluid it restrains. -- Stop watch, a watch the hands of which can be stopped in order to tell exactly the time that has passed, as in timing a race. See Independent seconds watch, under Independent, a.

Exact; accurate; precise; rigorously nice; as, to keep strict watch; to pay strict attention. Shak. It shall be still in strictest measure. Milton.

, and so around the circle; also, in the same direction as the movement of the hands of a watch lying face upward.

Oversight; watch; inspection; supervision. That sort of surveillance of which . . . the young have accused the old. Sir W. Scott.