Search the Dictionary

An intimate; a companion. All my familiars watched for my halting. Jer. xx. 10.

ss, manners, etc.; an eccentric person; a fop. Milton. Our fantastics, who, having a fine watch, take all ocasions to drow it out to be seen. Fuller.

e down a ship's lines, to diminish her lines gradually. I often sate at home On evenings, watching how they fined themselves With gradual conscience to a perfect night. Browning.

Anything that does work of a finger; as, the pointer of a clock, watch, or other registering machine; especially (Mech.) a small projecting rod, wire, or piece, which is brought into contact with an object to effect, direct, or restrain a motion.

he ranking non-commissioned officer in a company; the orderly sergeant. Farrow. -- First watch (Naut.), the watch from eight to twelve at midnight; also, the men on duty during that time. -- First water, the highest quality or purest luster; -- said of gems, especially of diamond and pearls.

y brilliancy; to come or pass like a flash. Names which have flashed and thundered as the watch words of unumbered struggles. Talfourd. The object is made to flash upon the eye of the mind. M. Arnold. A thought floashed through me, which I clothed in act. Tennyson.

A drawplate with a narrow, rectangular orifice, for drawing flat strips, as watch springs, etc.

A little pocket for a watch. Fob chain, a short watch chain worn a watch carried in the fob.

To watch, as a receding object; to keep the eyes fixed upon while in motion; to keep the mind upon while in progress, as a speech, musical performance, etc.; also, to keep up with; to understand the meaning, connection, or force of, as of a course of thought or argument. He followed with his eyes the flitting shade. Dr…

racticable to seize with the fingers, especially one for delicate operations, as those of watchmakers, surgeons, accoucheurs, dentists, etc.

relock; for when it is once past, there is no recalling it. Swift. On occasion's forelock watchful wait. Milton.

One who has charge of the growing timber on an estate; an officer appointed to watch a forest and preserve the game.

fortuned the same night that a Christian, serving a Turk in the camp, secretely gave the watchmen warning. Knolles.

Tired out with excessive waking or watching. [Obs.] Chaucer.

The cone or conical wheel of a watch or clock, designed to equalize the power of the mainspring by having the chain from the barrel which contains the spring wind in a spiral groove on the surface of the cone in such a manner that the diameter of the cone at the point where the chain acts may correspond with the degree…

A turret; a watchtower. [Obs.] He saw men go up and down on the garrets of the gates and walls. Ld. Berners.

live a minute object in water continually renewed, in a manner to permit its growth to be watched under the microscope. -- Grown over, covered with a growth. -- To grow out of, to issue from, as plants from the soil, or as a branch from the main stem; to result from. These wars have grown out of commercial considerat…

To keep watch over, in order to prevent escape or restrain from acts of violence, or the like.

Cautions; wary; watchful. [Obs. or Poetic.] -- Guard"ful*ly, adv.

A female guardian. I have placed a trusty, watchful guardianess. Beau. & Fl.