watch fire

American  

noun

1. a fire maintained during the night as a signal and for providing light and warmth for guards.

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watch fire British  

noun

1. a fire kept burning at night as a signal or for warmth and light by a person keeping watch

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Etymology

Origin of watch fire

First recorded in 1795–1805

Example Sentences

Barton House was built in 1958 and has had "waking watch" fire marshals patrolling the building since May 2022.

From BBC • Dec. 2, 2023

Many leaseholders have also seen sharply increasing service charges, and some have had to pay for so-called "waking watch" fire wardens.

From BBC • Jan. 16, 2022

The stolid peasants who saw the Red Army drive bewildered Germans back are descendants of patient men who have straightened up to watch fire & sword swoop by for 30 generations.

From Time Magazine Archive

It was just like camping out to sleep on the ground, all the eight girls in a circle around the little watch fire in the middle of the tepee.

From The Camp Fire Girls at Onoway House or, The Magic Garden by Frey, Hildegard G. (Hildegard Gertrude)

A stranger joined them at their watch fire; it was a messenger from the neighbouring town, who had been sent to summon Annele to her mother, who was dying.

From Joseph in the Snow, and The Clockmaker In Three Volumes. Vol. III. by Auerbach, Berthold