watch-night
Definition
- Noun:
- A religious service held on New Year's Eve: "watch-night" refers to a late-night church service that takes place on December 31, often lasting until midnight, to mark the transition from the old year to the new year. This service typically includes prayer, hymn-singing, and reflection.
- The night itself: "watch-night" can also denote the night of New Year's Eve, especially in a religious or communal context.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Our church holds a watch-night service every year, ending with a prayer at midnight. (A religious service on New Year's Eve.)
- She stayed up for the watch-night, celebrating the new year with her congregation. (The night of New Year's Eve, spent in a religious gathering.)
Advanced Usage
"Watch-night service": the specific term for the religious event.
- The watch-night service began at 10 PM and concluded with a blessing at midnight. (The formal name for the New Year's Eve church service.)
"To keep watch-night": to participate in or observe the watch-night tradition.
- Many Christians keep watch-night by attending a special service. (They observe the tradition of a late-night New Year's Eve service.)
Variants and Related Words
Watch (noun): a period of keeping awake or guarding; also, a small timepiece.
- He kept watch during the night. (He remained awake and alert.)
Night (noun): the period of darkness between sunset and sunrise.
- The night was cold and clear. (The dark hours.)
Synonyms
- New Year's Eve service: a church service held on December 31.
- Vigil: a period of staying awake, especially for religious purposes (though vigils are not exclusively for New Year's Eve).
Related Idioms
Watch and pray: to stay alert and pray, often used in religious contexts.
- They were told to watch and pray during the watch-night service. (To remain vigilant and pray.)
Ring in the new year: to celebrate the arrival of the new year, often at midnight.
- They rang in the new year with a watch-night service. (They celebrated the start of the new year.)