Observed or looked at carefully; paid attention to something or someone; the past tense of 'watch.'
From Old English 'wæccan' meaning 'to watch or keep vigil,' with possible connections to 'wake.' Originally meant to stay awake and alert, especially in a protective sense.
The original meaning of 'watch' was to stay awake through the night guarding something—so when you 'watch' someone today, you're unconsciously using an ancient word for protective vigilance that goes back to campfires and night watches.
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