watch and ward

American  

noun

1. a continuous watch or vigil, by or as by night and by day, especially for the purpose of guarding.

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Etymology

Origin of watch and ward

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

watch and ward

Mourned the Daily Mail: "The vision of an alert, unsleeping corps of first-class brains keeping watch and ward has taken another blow."

From Time Magazine Archive

The Americans, however, kept watch and ward, around the cannon that had cost them so great a sacrifice, till near daybreak, when orders were received to retire to camp.

From The Second War with England, Vol. 2 of 2 by Headley, Joel Tyler

They did not think any more of attacking the strong, entrenched position behind which Dennis Deventer and Jack Jaikes kept watch and ward, night and day.

From A Tatter of Scarlet Adventurous Episodes of the Commune in the Midi 1871 by Crockett, S. R. (Samuel Rutherford)

FUM, or Funj Hwang, one of the four symbolical creatures which in Chinese mythology are believed to keep watch and ward over the Celestial Empire.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 3 "Frost" to "Fyzabad" by Various

The postmasters in all the colonies were made exempt from all public services, such as keeping watch and ward, and sitting on juries.

From The History of the Post Office in British North America by Smith, William, Sir