† 1. ? A place in which one must keep watch.
1597. Shaks., 2 Hen. IV., III. i. 17. O thou dull God [sc. Sleep], why lyest thou with the vilde, In loathsome Beds, and leau’st the Kingly Couch, A Watch-case, or a common Larum-Bell?
2. A hinged case or cover of an old-fashioned watch, enclosing the watch proper; now, the metal cover enclosing the works of a watch.
1681. Grew, Musæum, IV. iii. 369. Made of fine Silver-studded Work, as in Watch-Cases.
1697–8. Foreign Post, 3–7 Jan., 2/2. A Gold Engrav’d Watch-Case lined with Scarlet Satten.
1789. Mrs. Piozzi, Journ. France, etc., I. 78. Every … compartment chased, like our old-fashioned watch-cases.
1857. Dickens, Dorrit, II. xxx. She took the watch-case in her hand.
1899. F. J. Britten, Old Clocks & Watches, 123. A very finely enamelled watch case, illustrating the early life of Christ.
b. attrib. and Comb.
1671. Lond. Gaz., No. 538/4. If any one can give notice of him to his Master … a Watch-case maker.
1773. Pennsylv. Gaz., 16 June, Suppl. 2/2 [Advt.]. Watch-case stakes and hammers.
3. A small case or bag at the head of a bed for holding a watch at night; a watch-pocket.
1891. Century Dict.
