watchman

/'wɔtʃmən/

Thân thiện

The watchman walks his nightly round with a lantern.

Definition

Noun: A person, typically a man, whose job is to guard and protect a building, area, or property, especially at night. A watchman keeps a lookout for danger, unauthorized entry, or fire.

Usage

A "watchman" is a security guard, often working alone on a night shift. The term is somewhat traditional and may imply a role involving regular patrols and visual surveillance of a specific location.

Examples

• The watchman made his rounds of the factory every hour.
• We hired a watchman to protect the construction site overnight.
• The old museum still employs a watchman instead of an electronic security system.

Advanced Usage

• "To stand watchman": To perform the duties of a watchman.
  • For thirty years, he stood watchman over the empty warehouse.
• The role is sometimes associated with specific tools or actions, like carrying a lantern or clocking in at designated stations.

Variants and Related Words

• Night watchman: A more specific term for a watchman who works during the night.
• Watchwoman (rare): A female watchman.
• Watch (verb): To look at or observe attentively over a period of time.
• Watch (noun): The act of keeping awake to guard or protect.

Synonyms

• Guard: A person who protects a place or people. (More general)
• Sentry: A soldier stationed to keep guard. (Military context)
• Lookout: A person who watches for danger. (Often from a high point)
• Custodian: A person who has responsibility for or looks after something. (Broader, includes maintenance)

Related Phrases

• Watchman's rattle: A historical noisemaking device carried by watchmen to raise an alarm.
• Watchman's clock: A device used by watchmen to record the time they checked specific locations on their route.

Idioms

• As vigilant as a watchman: Extremely alert and watchful.
  • The security team was as vigilant as a watchman throughout the event.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a guard who keeps watch

Từ đồng nghĩa

• watcher
• security guard