[WATCH sb.]
1. A small structure to shelter a person on watch.
1699. Dampier, Voy., II. II. 14. About three or four Leagues Westward of Selam is another Watch-Box on a High Tree.
1890. Daily News, 8 Jan., 3/1. Escapes are being placed in position as fast as they can be turned out. With 50 watch-boxes at 80l. a piece, these escapes will cost 4,000l.
b. A small wooden shelter resembling a sentry-box but furnished with a seat and half-door, used by a municipal watchman. Obs. exc. Colonial.
1811. Ann. Reg., 44. A female, about three years and a half old … was left in a watch-box, near her home.
1837. Dickens, Pickw., xiv. The floor of a watch-box.
1845. D. Jerrold, St. Giles, i. (1851), 2. She drew up at a watch-box, and addressed herself to the … man within.
1890. ‘R. Boldrewood,’ Col. Reformer, xii. It was lucky Mr. Jedwood had not commenced life at Garrandilla in a watch-box, as he most certainly would have continued the use of that highly compressed apartment.
c. A policeman’s shelter.
1905. Daily Chron., 10 July, 5/4. On the south side of Parliament Hill Fields is a little square chalet, which is used by the County Council police…. The watch-box, as it is called, was locked.
† 2. ? = WATCH-CASE 2. Obs.
1656. in Atkins & Overall, Acc. Company of Clockm. (1881), 232. It is ordered … that … there be noe more of that Mettle wrought in the fashion of Watch Boxes or Cases.
1739. Act 12 Geo. II., c. 26 § 13. For assaying, trying and marking Gold Watch Cases or Gold Watch Boxes, ten Pence apiece.
