watch and ward

watch and ward
The duty of constables. Ward, guard, or custodia, as it was variously called, was a duty performed mainly in the daytime and looked chiefly to the apprehension of rioters and highway robbers. Watch was a duty which the constables performed only at night, beginning where ward left off and ending when ward began. It was kept in every borough and town, especially in summer, to apprehend all rogues, vagabonds and nightwalkers and make them give an account of themselves. See 1 Bl Comm 356.

Ballentine's law dictionary. . 1998.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Watch and ward — Watch Watch (w[o^]ch), n. [OE. wacche, AS. w[ae]cce, fr. wacian to wake; akin to D. wacht, waak, G. wacht, wache. [root]134. See {Wake}, v. i. ] [1913 Webster] 1. The act of watching; forbearance of sleep; vigil; wakeful, vigilant, or constantly… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • watch and ward — watch′ and ward′ n. a continuous watch or vigil • Etymology: 1350–1400 …   From formal English to slang

  • watch and ward — the act of watching as a sentinel: now chiefly in the titles of societies self appointed as guardians of a community s morals …   English World dictionary

  • Watch and Ward — Infobox Book | name = Watch and Ward image caption = Cover of 1979 Grove Press edition of Watch and Ward author = Henry James country = United States language = English genre = Novel publisher = Houghton, Osgood and Company, Boston release date …   Wikipedia

  • watch and ward — noun or watching and warding Etymology: Middle English wacche and warde 1. : the act of keeping guard : continuous unbroken vigilance and guard a handful of men kept watch and ward against the Iroquois Francis Parkman 2 …   Useful english dictionary

  • Watch and Ward Society — New England Watch and Ward Society Motto Manu forti ( With a strong hand )[1] Formation 1879 …   Wikipedia

  • Watch and Ward — ♦ The duty, especially in boroughs, to arrange day (ward) and night (watch) for the apprehension of those who break the peace. (Sayles, George O. The King s Parliament of England, 146) …   Medieval glossary

  • watch and ward — a continuous watch or vigil, by or as by night and by day, esp. for the purpose of guarding. [1350 1400; ME] * * * …   Universalium

  • watch and ward — noun Date: 14th century 1. continuous unbroken vigilance and guard 2. service as a watchman or sentinel required from a feudal tenant …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • watch and ward — constant wakefulness, constant awareness …   English contemporary dictionary

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