outwatch
Definition
Verb - To stay awake longer than: "outwatch" means to remain awake or vigilant for a longer period than someone or something else, often implying a contest of endurance in watching.
Usage Examples
- (She stayed awake longer than the guard.)
- (The owl remains vigilant for a longer duration than other birds.)
- (He attempted to endure longer than his rival in watching.)
Advanced Usage
- "to outwatch the stars": to stay awake until the stars have set or disappeared, often used poetically.
- The poet claimed he could outwatch the stars, sitting on the hill until morning. (He remained awake longer than the visible celestial bodies.)
Variants and Related Words
- Outwatch (verb only): no common noun or adjective forms exist.
- Watch (verb): the base word, meaning to look at or observe attentively.
- She likes to watch the sunset every evening. (She observes the sunset.)
Synonyms
- Outlast: to endure longer than someone or something.
- Outstay: to remain longer than another person.
- Outvigil: to keep watch for a longer period (rarely used).
Phrasal Verbs
- Watch out: to be careful or vigilant.
- Watch out for the slippery floor! (Be careful of the hazard.)
- Watch over: to guard or protect.
- She watches over the children while they play. (She protects them.)
Related Idioms
- Outwatch the night: to stay awake through the entire night.
- The soldier had to outwatch the night before the morning patrol. (He remained awake all night.)
- Outwatch someone's patience: to test someone's endurance by staying awake longer than they can tolerate.
- The baby's crying seemed to outwatch the mother's patience. (The crying lasted longer than the mother's ability to endure.)