night-watchman

The night-watchman makes his rounds with a lantern.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person who guards a building or property during the night: A "night-watchman" is an individual employed to keep watch over premises, ensuring security and safety during the hours of darkness.
   • Historical role: In earlier times, a "night-watchman" was also a public official who patrolled streets at night to maintain order, announce the time, and warn of dangers like fires.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The night-watchman makes his rounds every hour to check that all doors are locked. (A guard employed to secure a building at night.)
  • In medieval towns, the night-watchman would call out the hour and cry, "All's well!" (A historical figure responsible for night-time safety.)

Advanced Usage

• "to work as a night-watchman": to be employed in the role of guarding at night.

  • After retiring from the police force, he took a job as a night-watchman at the warehouse. (He accepted night-time security work.)

• "a night-watchman's shift": the period of duty during the night.

  • His night-watchman's shift runs from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (The specific hours he guards.)

Variants and Related Words

• Night-watch (n): a period of duty or guard kept during the night, often referring to a group of watchmen.

  • The night-watch patrolled the streets until dawn. (The team of guards worked together.)

• Watchman (n): a person who keeps watch, especially at night; a general term for a guard.

  • The watchman checked the perimeter every thirty minutes. (A guard performing regular checks.)

Synonyms

• Guard: a person who protects or watches over something.
• Sentry: a soldier or guard stationed to keep watch, especially at night.
• Night guard: a more modern term for someone who guards at night.

Related Idioms

• As quiet as a night-watchman: very silent or stealthy, as a watchman might be while on duty.

  • He crept through the house as quiet as a night-watchman, not waking anyone. (He moved silently to avoid detection.)

• To keep a night-watchman's vigil: to stay awake and alert during the night for a purpose.

  • The nurse kept a night-watchman's vigil by the patient's bedside. (She remained awake and watchful throughout the night.)