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e, from surprise, to observe the approach of danger, and give notice of it; a sentry. The sentinels who paced the ramparts. Macaulay.

Sentinel. [Obs.] Sackville.

To question or demand the countersign from (one who attempts to pass the lines); as, the sentinel challenged us, with "Who comes there"

A line or series of sentinels, or of military posts, inclosing or guarding any place or thing.

he is the lowest noncomissioned officer in a company of infantry. He places and relieves sentinels. Corporal's guard, a detachment such as would be in charge of a corporal for guard duty, etc.; hence, derisively, a very small number of persons. -- Lance corporal, an assistant corporal on private's pay. Farrow. -- Sh…

f four men, forming one of a single line of posts substituted for the more formal line of sentinels and line of pickets.

ter round (Mil.), a body of officers whose duty it is to visit and inspect the rounds and sentinels. -- Counter sea (Naut.), a sea running in an opposite direction from the wind. -- Counter sense, opposite meaning. -- Counter signal, a signal to answer or correspond to another. -- Counter signature, the name of a s…

A small chamber or place of protection for a sentinel, usually in the form of a projecting turret, or the like. See Castle.

r leave a vessel. (b) A plank within or without the bulwarks of a vessel's waist, for the sentinel to walk on. -- Gang cask, a small cask in which to bring water aboard ships or in which it is kept on deck. -- Gang cultivator, Gang plow, a cultivator or plow in which several shares are attached to one frame, so as to…

A man, or body of men, stationed to protect or control a person or position; a watch; a sentinel. The guard which kept the door of the king's house. Kings xiv. 27.

To go the rounds along a chain of sentinels; to traverse a police district or beat.

The piece of ground to which a sentinel's walk is limited.

The challenge of a French sentinel, or patrol; -- used like the English challenge: "Who comes there" To be on the qui vive, to be on guard; to be watchful and alert, like a sentinel.

about break of day, to give notice that it is time for the soldiers to rise, and for the sentinels to forbear challenging. "Sound a reveille." Dryden. For at dawning to assail ye Here no bugles sound reveille. Sir W. Scott.

A walk performed by a guard or an officer round the rampart of a garrison, or among sentinels, to see that the sentinels are faithful and all things safe; also, the guard or officer, with his attendants, who performs this duty; -- usually in the plural.

A soldier placed on guard; a sentinel.

on or thing habitually stands, or is appointed to remain for a time; as, the station of a sentinel. Specifically:

A sentinel, usually on horseback, stationed on the outpost of an army, to watch an enemy and give notice of danger; a vidette.

The period of the night during which a person does duty as a sentinel, or guard; the time from the placing of a sentinel till his relief; hence, a division of the night. I did stand my watch upon the hill. Shak. Might we but hear . . . Or whistle from the lodge, or village cock Count the night watches to his feathery d…

One set to watch; a person who keeps guard; a guard; a sentinel.