[f. WATCHFUL a. + -NESS.]
1. Wakefulness, inability to sleep. Obs. exc. Path.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., V. vi. 34. Thus she all night wore out in watchfulnesse, Ne suffred slouthfull sleepe her eye-lids to oppresse.
1615. Markham, Eng. Housew., II. i. 10. If any of the family be troubled with too much watchfulnesse, so that they cannot by any meanes take rest.
1655. Culpepper, etc., Riverius, I. xi. 40. If after bleeding there comes watchfulness, the Humors will be again inflamed.
1758. Phil. Trans., L. 683. Pains … attended with vomiting, anxiety, and great watchfulness.
1843. R. J. Graves, Syst. Clin. Med., xi. 121. Early and decided determination to the brain, producing delirium, watchfulness, coma.
1876. W. Roberts, Urin. & Renal Dis., III. x. (ed. 3), 537. The tumour … spread in all directions, causing great pain and watchfulness.
2. The quality or state of being watchful or attentively observant; vigilance.
1611. B. Jonson, Catiline, IV. vii. Chorus M 1. And call their diligence, deceipt;… Their watchfulnesse, but lying in waite.
1644. Digby, Nat. Soul, iv. § 6. 390. The watchfulnesse and recalling of our thoughts backe to their enioyned worke, when they breake loose and runne astray.
1756. Phil. Trans., L. 22. By care and watchfulness the violence of the symptoms were kept under.
1815. Scott, Guy M., xviii. He … has, at different times, made eulogiums upon the watchfulness and ferocity of his dogs.
1821. Lamb, Elia, Imperf. Sympathies. A Quaker … knows that his syllables are weighed—and how far a consciousness of this particular watchfulness … has a tendency to produce indirect answers,… might be illustrated [etc.].
1847. G. P. R. James, Convict, ix. With a quiet, cat-like watchfulness, Filmer remarked everything which passed between Eda Brandon and Charles Dudley.
1879. in Cassell’s Techn. Educ., I. 285/1. This plan, however, requires constant care and watchfulness, which it is difficult at all times to ensure.
b. const. of, over; also with inf. of purpose.
1624. Donne, Devot., Med. xiv. (ed. 2), 319. How busie, and perplexed a Cobwebb, is the Happinesse of Man here, that must bee made vp with a Watchfulnesse, to lay hold vpon Occasion.
1725. Watts, Logic., II. iii. § 3 (1726), 203. The Cure of these Prejudices is attain’d by a constant Jealousy of ourselves, and Watchfulness over our Passions.
1853. Dickens, Bleak Ho., xiv. His watchfulness of my guardian was incessant. He rarely removed his eyes from his face.
1860. Ruskin, Unto this Last, i. § 9. In protective watchfulness of his master’s interest and credit, or in joyful readiness to seize unexpected … occasions of help.
1868. A. Duff, True Nobility, 73. As the causes of it [irresolution] came to be detected, there was inward watchfulness over their operation.
