watcher

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a person who watches or closely observes someone or something

   A patient bird watcher waited quietly beside the lake.

2. 2
   noun

   a person assigned to keep guard or remain alert for danger

   The night watcher reported a light moving beyond the fence.

3. 3
   noun

   a person who keeps a vigil beside someone who is ill or has died

   A watcher remained beside the patient until dawn.

From Middle English wacchere and wachere, built from watch + the agent suffix -er. Its oldest senses concern wakeful guarding and vigils; the broader meaning 'one who observes' follows directly from the verb watch.

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