watch

Everyday

1. To watch is to look at something for a while. tree →
2. To watch someone or something is to take care of it or keep it safe: «Watch your little brother». tree →
3. To watch out is to be careful. tree →
4. A watch is a small clock you wear on your wrist. tree →
5. A watch can also be a turn spent awake and on guard, keeping people or places safe. tree →

In the lessons

looking at the table to see the changes; a watch tells the time; «watch out» warns of danger; phrases: «watch TV», «watch out», «keep watch», «watch your step», «look at your watch»

Examples

• Watch, count, and imagine. tree →
• Ben watched 3 films on Saturday and 2 on Sunday. tree →
• Anna watches 4 birds land on the fence. tree →
• Watch out for cars when you cross! tree →
• Can you watch the baby for a minute? tree →
• My watch says it is 3 o'clock. tree →
• We watched the moon rise. tree →
• Watch your step on the icy path. tree →

Note

Plural noun: watches. Carries no operation clue; the verb that tells the change decides. «watch» = look for a while at something that moves or changes; «see» = notice with your eyes.

In Jewish tradition

In the Torah, a "watch" is a part of the night, and "watching" means a night kept awake for God. "The LORD watch between me and thee" is a plea that God guard an agreement. In Proverbs wisdom "watches over" a person, in the Psalms "night-watches" are the parts of the night, and Job asks why God sets a guard over him.

Interpretation. Passover night is called a night of watching. The Seder is held on this night, and the Mizpah blessing is read as God watching over Laban and Jacob's agreement. The Psalmist rising in the night-watches is read as a model of studying Torah at night.

Examples

• and Mizpah, for he said: 'The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another. (Torah GEN.31.49, JPS 1917) tree →
• And it came to pass in the morning watch, that the LORD looked forth upon the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of cloud, and discomfited the host of the Egyptians. (Torah EXO.14.24, JPS 1917) tree →
• It was a night of watching unto the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt; this same night is a night of watching unto the LORD for all the children of Israel throughout their generations. (Torah EXO.12.42, JPS 1917) tree →
• Discretion shall watch over thee, discernment shall guard thee; (Writings PRO.2.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• Mine eyes forestalled the night-watches, that I might meditate in Thy word. (Writings PSA.119.148, JPS 1917) tree →
• Am I a sea, or a sea-monster, that Thou settest a watch over me? (Writings JOB.7.12, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Plural noun: watches. Carries no operation clue; the verb that tells the change decides. «watch» = look for a while at something that moves or changes; «see» = notice with your eyes.