[syn: watchfulness, vigilance, weather eye]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Watchful \Watch"ful\, a.
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.
[1913 Webster]
'Twixt prayer and watchful love his heart dividing.
--Keble.
[1913 Webster]
Syn: Vigilant; attentive; cautious; observant; circumspect;
wakeful; heedful.
[1913 Webster] -- Watch"ful*ly, adv. --
Watch"ful*ness, n.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
watchfulness
n 1: the process of paying close and continuous attention;
"wakefulness, watchfulness, and bellicosity make a good
hunter"; "vigilance is especially susceptible to fatigue"
[syn: watchfulness, wakefulness, vigilance,
alertness]
2: vigilant attentiveness; "he keeps a weather eye open for
trouble" [syn: watchfulness, vigilance, weather eye]