WATCHING • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Watching

Add this Dictionary
to your website!
See more options...

/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

Share |

Add this dictionary
to your browser search bar

"Watching" Quotes from Famous Books

... Louis grew bolder, and his nature expanded. I saw on his face a new expression, a look of youth. The greater refinement which I introduced into the house was reflected in his person. Insensibly I became accustomed to his presence, and made another self of him. By dint of constant watching I discovered how his mind and countenance harmonize. "The animal that we call a husband," to quote your words, disappeared, and one balmy evening I discovered in his stead a lover, whose words thrilled me and on whose ...

— Letters of Two Brides • Honore de Balzac

... moments elapsed, when I thought I heard light footsteps in the entry leading to this room. I had no time to construe these signals, but, watching fearfully the entrance, I grasped my weapon with new force, and raised it so as to be ready at the moment of my danger. I did not watch long. A figure cautiously thrust itself forward. The first glance was sufficient to inform me that this intruder was an Indian, ...

— Edgar Huntley • Charles Brockden Brown

... not the man to gainsay it. 'Tis no more than you ought. And yet—" He surveyed the young Knight's slender form and slightly moulded limbs, his cheeks pale with watching and the oppressive heat of the night, and the heavy appearance of the eyelids that shaded his dark blue thoughtful eyes. "Is your ...

— The Lances of Lynwood • Charlotte M. Yonge

... harmless. But no one found fault with Marcello for admiring his stepfather, and the attachment was a source of constant satisfaction to his mother. In her opinion Corbario was the handsomest, bravest, cleverest, and best of men, and after watching him for some time even the disappointed gossips were obliged to admit, though without superlatives, that he was a good-looking fellow, a good sportsman, sufficiently well gifted, and of excellent behaviour. There was the more merit in the admission, they maintained, because they ...

— Whosoever Shall Offend • F. Marion Crawford

... was the same way. He did manage to bring himself into the mood to go out to Carrie, but when he got in Ogden Place he thought he saw a man watching him and went away. He did not go within a ...

— Sister Carrie • Theodore Dreiser

Copyright © 2025 Dictionary One.com