argus-eyed
/'ɑ:gəsaid/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Extremely vigilant and observant: Being very watchful, alert, and attentive, especially to potential danger or detail.
- Having very sharp or keen eyesight: Possessing exceptionally good vision, able to see small details from afar.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- The argus-eyed security guard noticed the slightest movement in the shadows.
- An argus-eyed editor will catch every typographical error in the manuscript.
- With her argus-eyed vision, she could spot birds of prey circling high in the sky.
Advanced Usage
- Descriptive Use: Often used in literary or formal contexts to describe a person, animal, or even a system (like surveillance) that is exceptionally watchful.
- The argus-eyed scrutiny of the regulatory body ensures compliance with all standards.
- Figurative Use: Can describe abstract concepts like attention, awareness, or scrutiny.
- He kept an argus-eyed watch on the stock market fluctuations.
Variants and Related Words
- Vigilant (adj): Watchful, especially for danger or difficulty.
- Observant (adj): Quick to notice things.
- Sharp-eyed (adj): Having good eyesight; observant.
- Keen-sighted (adj): Having sharp vision.
Synonyms
- Watchful
- Alert
- Attentive
- Eagle-eyed
- Sharp-sighted
Word Origin and Notes
- Etymology: The term derives from Argus Panoptes, a giant in Greek mythology who had a hundred eyes. After his death, the goddess Hera placed his eyes on the tail of the peacock. The name symbolizes being all-seeing or ever-watchful.
- Note: This is a relatively rare and literary adjective. It is typically used to emphasize an exceptional, almost superhuman level of watchfulness or visual acuity.
Adjective
- carefully observant or attentive; on the lookout for possible danger
- a policy of open-eyed awareness
- the vigilant eye of the town watch
- there was a watchful dignity in the room
- a watchful parent with a toddler in tow
- having very keen vision
- quick-sighted as a cat