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Webster 1913 Edition


Watchful

Watch′ful

,
Adj.
Full of watch; vigilant; attentive; careful to observe closely; observant; cautious; – with of before the thing to be regulated or guarded;
as, to be
watchful
of one’s behavior
; and with against before the thing to be avoided;
as, to be
watchful
against the growth of vicious habits
.
“Many a watchful night.”
Shak.
“Happy watchful shepherds.”
Milton.
'Twixt prayer and
watchful
love his heart dividing.
Keble.
Syn. – Vigilant; attentive; cautious; observant; circumspect; wakeful; heedful.
–
Watch′ful-ly
,
adv.
–
Watch′ful-ness
,
Noun.

Webster 1828 Edition


Watchful

WATCHFUL

,
Adj.
Vigilant; attentive; careful to observe; observant; cautious. It has of before the thing to be regulated, as to be watchful of ones behavior; and against, before the thing to be avoided, as to be watchful against the growth of vicious habits.