WATCH, woch, _n._ act of looking out: close observation: guard: one who
watches or those who watch: a sentry: a pocket timepiece: the place where a
guard is kept: a division of the night: time of watching, esp. in a ship, a
division of a ship's crew into two or three sections, so that one set of
men may have charge of the vessel while the others rest. (The day and night
are divided into watches of four hours each, except the period from 4 to 8
P.M., which is divided into two _dog-watches_ of two hours' duration
each).--_v.i._ to look with attention: to keep guard: to look out: to
attend the sick by night: to inspect, keep guard over (with
_over_).--_v.t._ to keep in view: to give heed to: to have in keeping: to
guard: to wait for, detect by lying in wait: (_Shak._) to keep from
sleep.--_ns._ WATCH'-BILL, a list of the officers and crew of a ship, as
divided into watches, with their several stations; WATCH'-BOX, a
sentry-box; WATCH'CASE, the outer case of a watch: (_Shak._) a sentry-box;
WATCH'-CLOCK, a watchman's clock; WATCH'-DOG, a dog kept to guard premises
and property; WATCH'ER, one who watches; WATCH'-FIRE, a night-fire acting
as a signal: a fire for the use of a watching-party, sentinels, scouts,
&c.--_adj._ WATCH'FUL, careful to watch or observe: attentive: circumspect:
cautious.--_adv._ WATCH'FULLY.--_ns._ WATCH'FULNESS; WATCH'-GLASS, a
sand-glass: the glass covering of the face of a watch; WATCH'-GUARD, a
watch-chain of any material; WATCH'-GUN, a gun fired at the changing of the
watch, as on a ship; WATCH'-HOUSE, a house in which a guard is placed: a
lock-up, detaining office; WATCH'-JEW'EL, a jewel used in the works of a
watch for lessening friction; WATCH'-KEY, a key for winding a watch;
WATCH'-LIGHT, a light used for watching or sitting up in the night;
WATCH'-M[=A]K'ER, one who makes and repairs watches; WATCH'-M[=A]K'ING;
WATCH'MAN, a man who watches or guards, esp. the streets of a city at
night; WATCH'-MEET'ING, a religious meeting to welcome in the New Year,
held on the night before, called the WATCH'-NIGHT; WATCH'-OFF'ICER, the
officer in charge of the ship during a watch, also called OFFICER OF THE
WATCH; WATCH'-P[=A]'PER, a round piece of paper, often decorated, put
inside the outer case of a watch to prevent rubbing; WATCH'-POCK'ET, a
small pocket for holding a watch; WATCH'-SPRING, the mainspring of a watch;
WATCH'-TOW'ER, a tower on which a sentinel is placed to watch or keep guard
against the approach of an enemy; WATCH'WORD, the password to be given to a
watch or sentry: any signal: a maxim, rallying-cry.--WATCH AND WARD, the
old custom of watching by night and by day in towns and cities:
uninterrupted vigilance.--THE BLACK WATCH, the 42d and 73d Regiments, now
the 1st and 2d Battalions of the Black Watch or Royal Highlanders. [A.S.
_wæcce_--_wacan_, wake.]
WATCHET, woch'et, _adj._ (_Spens._) pale-blue. [M. E. _wachet_, perh. conn.
ultimately with _woad_.]
WATER, waw't[.e]r, _n._ in a state of purity, at ordinary temperatures, a
clear transparent liquid, perfectly neutral in its reaction, and devoid of
taste or smell: any collection of such, as the ocean, a lake, river, &c.:
mineral water: tears: saliva: eye-water: urine: transparency, lustre, as of
a diamond: (_pl._) waves.--_v.t._ to wet, overflow, or supply with water:
to wet and press so as to give a wavy appearance to: to increase the
nominal capital of a company by the issue of new shares without a
corresponding increase of actual capital.--_v.i._ to shed water: to gather
saliva, noting strong craving: to take in water.--_ns._ WA'TERAGE, money
paid for a journey by water; WA'TER-BAG, the bag-like compartment in which
the camel stores water; WA'TER-BAIL'IFF, a custom-house officer who
inspects ships on reaching or leaving a port: a person appointed to guard
the fish in a protected piece of water; WA'TER-BAROM'ETER, a barometer in
which water is substituted for mercury; WA'TER-BARR'EL, -CASK, a barrel,
cask, for holding water; WA'TER-BATH, a bath composed of water: a vessel
containing warm water used for chemical purposes; WA'TER-BATT'ERY, a
voltaic battery in which the electrolyte is water: (_fort._) a battery
nearly on a level with the water; WA'TER-BEAR'ER, one who carries water:
(_astron._) a sign of the zodiac; WA'TER-BED, an india-rubber mattress
filled with water, used by invalids to prevent bed-sores; WA'TER-BELL'OWS,
a form of blower used in gas-machines, and formerly to supply a blast for
furnaces; WA'TER-BIRD, a bird that frequents the water; WA'TER-BIS'CUIT, a
biscuit made of flour and water; WA'TER-BLINK, a spot of cloud hanging over
open water in arctic regions; WA'TER-BOAT, a boat carrying water in bulk to
supply ships; WA'TER-BOAT'MAN, a kind of aquatic bug.--_adj._ WA'TER-BORNE,
conveyed in a boat.--_ns._ WA'TER-BOTT'LE, a glass, rubber, &c. bottle for
carrying water; WA'TER-BRASH, an affection consisting of a hot sensation in
the stomach with eructations of an acrid burning liquid; WA'TER-BREAK, a
ripple; WA'TER-BROSE (_Scot._), brose made of meal and water alone;
WA'TER-BUCK, an African water-antelope; WA'TER-BUG, a species of
hemipterous insects found in ponds and still water; WA'TER-BUTT, a large
barrel for rain-water, usually kept out of doors; WA'TER-CARR'IAGE,
carriage or conveyance by water; WA'TER-CART, a cart for conveying water,
esp. for the purpose of watering streets or roads; WA'TER-CELL, one of
several small paunches in a camel used for storing water: a voltaic cell
containing pure water; WA'TER-CEMENT', hydraulic cement; WA'TER-CHEST'NUT
(_Marron d'eau_), the name given in France to the edible seeds of the
_Trapa natans_; WA'TER-CLOCK, a clock which is made to go by the fall of
water; WA'TER-CLOS'ET, a closet used as a privy, in which the discharges
are carried off by water; WA'TER-COCK, the kora, a large East Indian
gallinule; WA'TER-COL'OUR, a colour or pigment diluted with water and gum,
instead of oil: a painting in such a colour or colours; WA'TER-COL'OURIST,
a painter in water-colours; WA'TER-COOL'ER, a machine for cooling water or
for keeping water cool; WA'TER-CORE, an apple with watery-looking core: in
founding, a hollow core through which water may be passed; WA'TERCOURSE, a
course or channel for water; WA'TER-CRAFT, boats plying on the water;
WA'TER-CRANE, a crane for turning water from a railway-tank into a
locomotive tender; WA'TER-CRESS, a small plant growing in watery places,
much esteemed as a salad, and used as a preventive of scurvy; WA'TER-CURE,
medical treatment by means of water; WA'TER-DECK, a decorated canvas cover
for a dragoon's saddle; WA'TER-DEER, a small Chinese musk-deer of aquatic
habits: in Africa, one of the chevrotains; WA'TER-DOC'TOR, a hydropathist:
one who divines diseases from the urine; WA'TER-DOG, a dog accustomed to
the water: a variety of the common dog valuable to sportsmen in hunting
water-fowl on account of its aquatic habits: (_coll._) an experienced
sailor: (_pl._) small irregular floating clouds supposed to indicate rain;
WA'TER-DRAIN, a channel through which water runs; WA'TER-DRAIN'AGE;
WA'TER-DRINK'ER, a drinker of water: a teetotaler; WA'TER-DROP, a drop of
water: a tear; WA'TER-DROP'WORT, a genus of umbelliferous plants.--_adj._
WA'TERED, marked with wavy lines like those made by water--(WATERED STOCKS,
a term applied to securities whose nominal amount has been increased
without any corresponding payment in cash).--_ns._ WA'TER-EL'EVATOR, a
device for raising water to a level: a lift that works by water;
WA'TER-EN'GINE, an engine for raising water: an engine for extinguishing
fires; WA'TERER, one who waters: a vessel for watering with; WA'TERFALL, a
fall or perpendicular descent of a body of water: a cataract or cascade:
(_coll._) a neck-tie, a chignon; WA'TER-FLAG, the yellow iris; WA'TER-FLEA,
the common name for minute aquatic crustaceans; WA'TER-FLOOD, an
inundation; WA'TER-FLOW, current of water.--_adj._ WA'TER-FLOW'ING,
streaming.--_ns._ WA'TER-FLY, an aquatic insect: (_Shak._) an
insignificant, troublesome person; WA'TER-FOWL, a fowl that frequents
water; WA'TER-FRAME, Arkwright's spinning-frame, which was driven by water;
WA'TER-GALL, a watery appearance in the sky accompanying the rainbow: a pit
or cavity made by a torrent of water; WA'TER-GAS, a gas partly derived from
the decomposition of steam; WA'TER-GATE, a flood-gate: a gate admitting to
a river or other body of water; WA'TER-GAUGE, -GAGE, an instrument for
gauging or measuring the quantity or height of water;
WA'TER-GILDING=_Wash-gilding_; WA'TER-GLASS, a water-clock: an instrument
for making observations beneath the surface of water: soluble glass;
WA'TER-GOD, a deity presiding over some tract of water; WA'TER-GRU'EL,
gruel made of water and meal, &c., eaten without milk; WA'TER-GUARD, river,
harbour, or coast police; WA'TER-HAMM'ER, the noise made by the sudden
stoppage of moving water in a pipe: an air vacuum containing some water:
(_med._) a metal hammer heated in water and applied to the skin as a
counter-irritant; WA'TER-HEN, the moorhen; WA'TER-HOLE, a reservoir for
water, a water-pool; WA'TERINESS; WA'TERING, act of one who waters: the art
or process of giving a wavy, ornamental appearance; WA'TERING-CALL, a
cavalry trumpet-signal to water horses; WA'TERING-CAN, -POT, a vessel used
for watering plants; WA'TERING-HOUSE, a place where cab-horses are watered;
WA'TERING-PLACE, a place where water may be obtained: a place to which
people resort to drink mineral water, for bathing, &c.; WA'TERING-TROUGH, a
trough in which horses and cattle drink.--_adj._ WA'TERISH, resembling,
abounding in, water: somewhat watery: thin.--_ns._ WA'TERISHNESS;
WA'TER-JACK'ET, a casing containing water placed around anything to keep it
cool--also WA'TER-BOX and WA'TER-MAN'TLE; WA'TER-KEL'PIE, a malignant
water-spirit, generally in the form of a horse, which delights to drown
unwary travellers; WA'TER-LEM'ON, a species of passion-flower; WA'TER-LENS,
a simple lens formed by placing a few drops of water in a small brass cell
with blackened sides and a glass bottom.--_adj._ WA'TERLESS, lacking
water.--_ns._ WA'TER-LEV'EL, the level formed by the surface of still
water: a levelling instrument in which water is used; WA'TER-LIL'Y, a name
commonly given to the different species of _Nymphæa_ and _Nuphar_, and also
of _Nelumbium_, all genera of the natural order _Nymphæaceæ_, and indeed
often extended to all the plants of that order--of the three British
species all have heart-shaped leaves, floating on the water; WA'TER-LINE,
the line on a ship to which the water rises: a water-mark.--_adj._
WA'TER-LOGGED, rendered log-like or unmanageable from being filled with
water.--_ns._ WA'TER-LOT, a lot of ground which is under water;
WA'TER-MAIN, a great subterranean pipe supplying water in cities;
WA'TERMAN, a man who plies a boat on water for hire: a boatman: a ferryman:
a neat oarsman; WA'TERMANSHIP, oarsmanship; WA'TERMARK, a mark showing the
height to which water has risen: a tide-mark: a mark wrought into paper,
denoting its size or its manufacturer.--_v.t._ to mark with
water-marks.--_ns._ WA'TER-MEAD'OW, a meadow periodically overflowed by a
stream; WA'TER-MEL'ON, a plant having a spherical, pulpy, pleasantly
flavoured fruit, the fruit itself; WA'TER-ME'TER, an instrument measuring
the quantity of water passing through it: an instrument for measuring
evaporation; WA'TER-MILL, a mill driven by water; WA'TER-MOLE, the desman:
a duck-mole or duck-billed platypus; WA'TER-MONK'EY, an earthenware jar for
keeping drinking-water in hot climates, round, with narrow neck--also
_Monkey-jar_; WA'TER-M[=O]'TOR, any water-wheel or turbine, esp. any small
motor driven by water under pressure; WA'TER-NIX'Y, a spirit inhabiting
water; WA'TER-NYMPH, a Naiad; WA'TER-OU'SEL, the dipper; WA'TER-PARS'NIP, a
plant of the aquatic genus _Sium_--the skirret; WA'TER-PART'ING (same as
WATERSHED); WA'TER-PHONE, an instrument for detecting leaks in pipes;
WA'TER-PIPE, a pipe for conveying water; WA'TER-PLANE, a plane passing
through a vessel when afloat; WA'TER-PLANT, a plant which grows in water;
WA'TER-PLATE, a plate having a double bottom and a space for hot water,
used to keep food warm; WA'TER-P[=O]'LO, an aquatic game played by swimmers
in swimming-baths, at piers, &c., the sides numbering seven each--a
goal-keeper, two backs, one half-back, and three forwards; WA'TER-POT, a
pot or vessel for holding water; WA'TER-POW'ER, the power of water,
employed to move machinery, &c.; WA'TER-POX, varicella; WA'TER-PRIV'ILEGE,
the right to the use of water, esp. for machinery.--_adj._ WA'TERPROOF,
proof against water: not permitting water to enter.--_n._ anything with
such qualities: a garment of some waterproof substance, like
india-rubber.--_ns._ WA'TERPROOFING, the act of making any substance
impervious to water: the material with which a thing is made waterproof, as
caoutchouc; WA'TER-PUMP, a pump for water, used humorously of the eyes;
WA'TER-PUR'PIE (_Scot._), brook-lime, a species of _Veronica_; WA'TER-RAIL,
the common rail of Europe; WA'TER-RAM, a hydraulic ram; WA'TER-RAT, the
popular name of the water-vole: the American musk-rat; WA'TER-RATE, a rate
or tax for the supply of water; WA'TER-ROUTE, a stream, lake, &c. used as a
means of travel; WA'TER-RUG (_Shak._), a kind of dog; WA'TERSHED, the line
which separates two river-basins: a district from which several rivers
rise; WA'TER-SIDE, the brink of water: the sea-shore; WA'TER-SMOKE, water
evaporating as visible mist; WA'TER-SNAKE, a snake frequenting the water;
WA'TER-SOL'DIER, an aquatic plant (_Stratiotes aloïdes_) common in lakes
and ditches in the east of England; WA'TER-SPAN'IEL (see SPANIEL);
WA'TER-SP[=I]'DER, an aquatic spider; WA'TERSPOUT, a pipe from which water
spouts: a moving spout or column of water, often seen at sea, and sometimes
on land; WA'TER-SPRIN'KLE (_Spens._), a water-pot; WA'TER-SPRITE, a spirit
inhabiting the water.--_adj._ WA'TER-STAND'ING (_Shak._), containing water,
tearful.--_ns._ WA'TER-STRID'ER, any aquatic heteropterous insect of the
family _Hydrobatidæ_; WA'TER-SUPPLY', the obtaining and distribution of
sufficient water to the inhabitants of a town: the amount of water thus
distributed; WA'TER-T[=A]'BLE, a moulding or other projection in the wall
of a building to throw off the water; WA'TER-TANK, a tank or cistern for
holding water; WA'TER-TAP, a tap or cock used for letting out water;
WA'TER-THERMOM'ETER, a thermometer filled with water instead of mercury,
and used for showing the point at which water acquires its greatest
density; WA'TER-THIEF (_Shak._), a pirate.--_adj._ WA'TER-TIGHT, so tight
as not to admit water nor let it escape--(WATER-TIGHT COMPARTMENT, a
division of a ship's hull or other sub-aqueous structure so formed that
water cannot enter it from any other part; see BULKHEAD).--_ns._
WA'TER-TUBE, a pipe for rain-water; WA'TER-TWIST, a kind of cotton-twist,
first made by the water-frame; WA'TER-V[=I]'OLET, a plant of the genus
_Hottonia_; WA'TER-VOLE, the common European water-rat; WA'TER-WAG'TAIL, a
wagtail, the pied wagtail; WA'TER-WAY (_naut._) a series of pieces of
timber, extending round a ship at the junction of the decks with the sides,
pierced by scuppers to carry off the water: a water-route; WA'TERWHEEL, a
wheel moved by water: an engine for raising water; WA'TERWORK (mostly in
_pl._) any work or engine by which water is furnished, as to a town, &c.: a
textile fabric, used like tapestry: (_slang_) used humorously of shedding
tears.--_adj._ WA'TER-WORN, worn by the action of water.--_n._
WA'TER-WRAITH, a water-spirit supposed to portend death.--_adj._ WA'TERY,
pertaining to or like water: thin or transparent: tasteless: weak, vapid:
affecting water (of the moon, as governing the tide): (_Shak._)
eager.--_ns._ HIGH'-WA'TER, HIGH'-WA'TER-MARK (see HIGH); LOW'-WA'TER (see
LOW); LOW'-WA'TER-MARK, the limit of water at low tide: the lowest point of
anything.--WATER OF LIFE, spiritual refreshment: (_Scot._) whisky; WATER ON
THE BRAIN, knee, an accumulation of serous fluid in the cranial cavity,
knee-joint; WATERED SILK, silk on which a changeable pattern has been
worked by means of pressing and moistening.--ABOVE WATER, out of trouble;
AERATED WATER (see AERATE); APOLLINARIS WATER, an agreeable table-water,
obtained in Rhenish Prussia; BAG OF WATERS, the foetal membranes, filled
with _liquor amnii_, which dilate the mouth of the womb; CAST A PERSON'S
WATER, to examine urine to aid in the diagnosis of disease; DEEP WATER, or
WATERS, water too deep for safety, sore trouble, distress; FIRST WATER, the
highest degree of fineness in a diamond, &c., hence the highest rank
generally; HOLD WATER, to be correct or well-grounded, to stand
investigation; HOLY WATER, water used symbolically as a means of
purification; LIKE WATER, with the quick, full flow of water:
extravagantly, recklessly; MAKE THE MOUTH WATER, to arouse in any one a
strong desire for a thing--from the gathering of saliva in the mouth at the
prospect of a savoury morsel; MAKE WATER, to micturate; MINERAL WATER (see
MINERAL); OIL ON TROUBLED WATERS, anything that allays or assuages, from
the effect of pouring oil on rough water; TREAD WATER, to keep the head
above water by an up-and-down movement of the feet; UNDER WATER, below the
surface; WHITE WATER, breakers, foaming water. [A.S. _wæter_; Dut. _water_,
Ger. _wasser_; Gr. _hyd[=o]r_, L. _udus_, wet, _unda_, a wave, Sans.
_udan_, water.]
WATLING STREET, wat'ling strët, _n._ one of the great Roman highways of
Britain, commencing at Dover, passing through Canterbury and Rochester to
London, and thence to Chester and York, and northwards in two branches to
Carlisle and the Wall in the neighbourhood of Newcastle.
WATT, wot, _n._ the practical unit of electrical activity or power--from
James _Watt_ (1736-1819).
WATTEAU BODICE, wat'[=o] bod'is, _n._ a bodice with a square opening at the
neck resembling the costumes in the paintings of the French artist Antoine
_Watteau_ (1684-1721).
WATTLE, wot'l, _n._ a twig or flexible rod: a hurdle: the fleshy
excrescence under the throat of a cock or a turkey: one of various
Australian acacias.--_v.t._ to bind with wattles or twigs: to form by
plaiting twigs.--_n._ WATT'LE-BIRD, a wattled honey-eater of
Australia.--_adj._ WATT'LED, having wattles like a bird.--_n._ WATT'LING, a
construction made by interweaving twigs. [A.S. _watel_, _watul_, a hurdle.]
WAUGHT, WAUCHT, w[=a]ht, _n._ (_Scot._) a large draught. [Gael. _cuach_, a
cup.]
WAUKRIFE. See WAKE.