Also spelled watch-guard
noun
Freq #463517
Meanings
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1
noun
historical: a chain, cord, or ribbon securing a pocket watch to its wearer's clothing
His silver watchguard ran from the pocket watch to a buttonhole in his waistcoat.
Thesaurus
Etymology
A compound of watch + guard, named for a chain or cord that guarded a pocket watch against being dropped or lost. Watch-guard was common when pocket watches were worn with waistcoats.