Obs. exc. arch. [WATCH sb.]
1. A bell upon which the half-hourly periods in each watch are struck on board ship.
1497. Naval Acc. Hen. VII. (1896), 287. Wache Belles … ij.
1815. Falconer’s Dict. Marine (ed. Burney), Watch-Bell, in ships of war, a large bell hung to the beam of the forecastle,…; it is struck when the half-hour-glass is run out, to make known the time or division of the watch.
1888. F. M. Crawford, With the Immortals, xiv. II. 212. Come, weary mariners!… Worn out with waking when the watch-bell tolls—Here is the land you seek!
2. A bell rung at the setting and relief of a military watch or to sound an alarm on the approach of an enemy.
1560. in J. Scott, Berwick-upon-Tweed (1888), 448. If there be any person that maketh any affraie at any of the gates of the said towne or at the watch hill at such tyme … as the watch bell is ringing or the watch is setting or afterwards that night untill the watch bell be discharged in the morninge.
a. 1674. Milton, Hist. Moscovia, iii. Wks. 1851, VIII. 486. The Land of Mugalla … hath many Castles … with Towers…; and on the Gates Alarum-Bells or Watch-Bells.
b. transf. and fig.
1614. T. Tymme (title), A Silver Watch-Bell. The Sound whereof is able to winne the most profane worldling … to become a true Christian.
1678. Yng. Man’s Call., 118. Then shalt thou hear … the last trumpet…. Oh how loath will the sinner be, to rise at the ringing of this watch-bell!
3. A bell used by a military or municipal watchman; also a bell rung to summon the watch.
1560. Rolland, Seven Sages, 78. In the meane time the watches bell thay rang. Than said the Knicht … Heir ȝe not now how that the watche bell rings.
1599. Hakluyt, Voy., II. II. 74. Some [of the garrison] keepe about the prison with lanterns and watch-bels answering one another fiue times euery night.
1660. in Sir R. Sadler’s St. Papers (1809), III. 359. In the Bayliff’s Chamber…. One watch-bell.
