Emily Dickinson Lexicon

WATCH, v.i. [Sax. wacian, wæcan; Sw. väcka, upväcka; Dan. vækker; G. wachen; Russ. vetchayu.]

1. To be awake; to be or continue without sleep. I have two nights watch'd with you. – Shak.
2. To be attentive; to look with attention or steadiness. Watch and see when the man passes.
3. To look with expectation. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning. – Ps. cxxx.
4. To keep guard; to act as sentinel; to look for danger. He gave signal to the minister that watch'd. – Milton.
5. To be attentive; to be vigilant in preparation for an event or trial, the time of whose arrival is uncertain. Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. – Matth. xxiv.
6. To be insidiously attentive; as, to watch for an opportunity to injure another.
7. To attend on the sick during the night; as, to watch with a man in a fever. To watch over, to be cautiously observant of; to inspect, superintend, and guard from error and danger. It is our duty constantly to watch over our own conduct and that of our children.