why is a watch called a watch?

Question

why the adjective

Answer 1

Very good question.

Basically, because it helped one to "keep watch" (NOT, by the way, a specifically nautical term).

I knew it was connected to this idea, and to a sentry's "standing watch" , but didn't have the details. So here's the story, based on "the Word Detective""


"Watch" is . . . from an Old English verb, "to be awake" ("wake"/"awake" comes from the same root-word). As a noun, "watch" referred to a "state of wakefulness" then to "a state of alertness, being alert and observant". Example: a sentry is said to "stand watch." (The word was also used to refer to a military unit organized to guard a town or region.

And here's the key --
Based on this connection with the need for staying awake, in the eartly 15th century the term was used to refer to an ALARM clock, then for any sort of spring-driven clock, but especially in the form "pocket-watch". This led to "watch" being generally used to mean "small clock." Our modern "watch" is simply a shortened form of the subsequent "wristwatch."

http://www.word-detective.com/021605.html

(The same article explains the origins of "clock" in a word for a type of bell.)

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For what it's worth, here are some other uses of the noun "watch" -- in which you may see the roots in "wakefulness" and the (military) watch:

1. The act or process of keeping awake or mentally alert, especially for the purpose of guarding.
2.a. The act of observing closely or the condition of being closely observed; surveillance.
b. A period of close observation, often in order to discover something: a watch during the child's illness.
3. A person or group of people serving, especially at night, to guard or protect.
4. The post or period of duty of a guard, sentinel, or watcher.
5. Any of the periods into which the night is divided; a part of the night.
6. Nautical
a. Any of the periods of time, usually four hours, into which the day aboard ship is divided and during which a part of the crew is assigned to duty.
b. The members of a ship's crew on duty during a specific watch.
c. A chronometer on a ship.
7.a. A period of wakefulness, especially one observed as a religious vigil.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/watch

Answer 2

Since the "watch" was invented in the early 1500s, I would surmise that the term for the timepiece comes from an earlier word, namely, from the English "watch" -- purely a nautical term. It literally means to "watch the sea" for a predetermined amount of time for dangers or hazards.

Answer 3

because u watch it to see the the time of the watch.if u don't watch then what is the use of the watch.u u must watch a watch to see the time of the watch!!!

Answer 4

U watch it to tell the time. PS would you prefer to call it something else like a 'wutch' or 'witch'? Not quite the same eh? LOL

Answer 5

u watch a watch to watch the time

Answer 6

It makes us watch it often,and keeps a watch on our schedules so that we can plan our activities and to be in time for our programmes.

Answer 7

cuz u watch it and it watch u 2 lol

Answer 8

cos you watch it to see the time.

Answer 9

when they were first invented, people who couldn't afford one were always asking "watch time is it?". watch is the olde english for 'what'

Answer 10

start a revolution,call it a look