Watchman

WATCH'MAN. Song 5:7; Isa 21:11. In Persia the watchmen were required to indemnify those who were robbed in the streets, and hence they were extremely vigilant to give the alarm and protect the city and its inhabitants from violence. Eze 33:2-6. The watchman was also required to call the hours of the night in a loud voice as he patrolled the streets. This is customary at the present day in some large cities. In time of danger the watchmen were posted in towers over the gates of the city. Isa 21:8; Isa 62:6.

WATCH'MAN. Song 5:7; Isa 21:11. In Persia the watchmen were required to indemnify those who were robbed in the streets, and hence they were extremely vigilant to give the alarm and protect the city and its inhabitants from violence. Eze 33:2-6. The watchman was also required to call the hours of the night in a loud voice as he patrolled the streets. This is customary at the present day in some large cities. In time of danger the watchmen were posted in towers over the gates of the city. Isa 21:8; Isa 62:6.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. One set to watch; a person who keeps guard; a guard; a sentinel.

2. Specifically, one who guards a building, or the streets of a city, by night. Watchman beetle (Zoöl.), the European dor. -- Watchman's clock, a watchman's detector in which the apparatus for recording the times of visiting several stations is contained within a single clock. -- Watchman's detector, or Watchman's time detector, an apparatus for recording the time when a watchman visits a station on his rounds. -- Watchman's rattle, an instrument having at the end of a handle a revolving arm, which, by the action of a strong spring upon cogs, produces, when in motion, a loud, harsh, rattling sound.