Shepherds keeping watch by night. Milton.

All the long night their mournful watch they keep. Addison.

* Watch was formerly distinguished from ward, the former signifying a watching or guarding by night, and the latter a watching, guarding, or protecting by day Hence, they were not unfrequently used together, especially in the phrase to keep watch and ward, to denote continuous and uninterrupted vigilance or protection, or both watching and guarding. This distinction is now rarely recognized, watch being used to signify a watching or guarding both by night and by day, and ward, which is now rarely used, having simply the meaning of guard, or protection, without reference to time.

Still, when she slept, he kept both watch and ward. Spenser.

Ward, guard, or custodia, is chiefly applied to the daytime, in order to apprehend rioters, and robbers on the highway . . . Watch, is properly applicable to the night only, . . . and it begins when ward ends, and ends when that begins. Blackstone.

Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch; go your way, make it as sure as ye can. Matt. xxvii. 65.

He upbraids Iago, that he made him
Brave me upon the watch. Shak.

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 dames. Milton.

* Watches are often distinguished by the kind of escapement used, as an anchor watch, a lever watch, a chronometer watch, etc. (see the Note under Escapement, n., 3); also, by the kind of case, as a gold or silver watch, an open-faced watch, a hunting watch, or hunter, etc.

I have two nights watched with you. Shak.

Couldest thou not watch one hour ? Mark xiv. 37.

Take ye heed, watch and pray. Mark xiii. 33.

The Son gave signal high
To the bright minister that watched. Milton.

My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning. Ps. cxxx. 6.

To watch over, to be cautiously observant of; to inspect, superintend, and guard.

Saul also sent messengers unto David's house to watch him, and to slay him. 1 Sam. xix. 11

I must cool a little, and watch my opportunity. Landor.

In lazy mood I watched the little circles die. Longfellow.

And flaming ministers, to watch and tend
Their earthy charge. Milton.

Paris watched the flocks in the groves of Ida. Broome.