WATCHING • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • Definition of Watching

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/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

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"Watching" Quotes from Famous Books

... had just left my father at the window that overlooks the Forth, watching my poor mother's ship sailing away to England, when I received your letter; and it is impossible to imagine a sorer, sadder heart than that with which I greeted it.... Thank you for the pains you are taking about your picture for me; crammed ...

— Records of a Girlhood • Frances Anne Kemble

... must strain to hear what he is saying—unless he is suffering from laryngitis. It is simple enough to keep the chin up and let the words roll out. Many persons have the bad habit of letting the voice drop at the end of a sentence; the effect on the other party is like watching a man run away from a fight. For clear understanding, and to create a good impression, there should be a cheerful lift upward at the end of ...

— The Armed Forces Officer - Department of the Army Pamphlet 600-2 • U. S. Department of Defense

... during his sickness," wrote Dr. Perkins, "to try to alleviate his bodily pains; but I have also been greatly refreshed in spirit; and I have been instructed and comforted in watching the remarkable exercises of his mind, and the ardent longing of his soul after Christ and heaven. Since the death of Mrs. Grant, more than twelve years ago, I have been present at no such rapturous deathbed, nor have I ever beheld ...

— History Of The Missions Of The American Board Of Commissioners For Foreign Missions To The Oriental Churches, Volume I. • Rufus Anderson

... light! and storms were none. Last eve Anselmo's bark returned, and yet His only tidings that they had not met! 1240 Though wild, as now, far different were the tale Had Conrad waited for that single sail. The night-breeze freshens—she that day had passed In watching all that Hope proclaimed a mast; Sadly she sate on high—Impatience bore At last her footsteps to the midnight shore, And there she wandered, heedless of the spray That dashed her garments oft, and warned away: She saw not, felt not this—nor dared ...

— The Works Of Lord Byron, Vol. 3 (of 7) • Lord Byron

... of you! I am all right, as you see. Mr. Bower and the guide were able to bring me here before the storm broke. We happened to be standing near the door, watching the lightning. When I caught a glimpse of you I was so stupidly startled that I screamed and almost fell into Mr. ...

— The Silent Barrier • Louis Tracy

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