Adjacent Words

Watchword definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

WATCHWORD, n. [watch and word.] The word given to sentinels, and to such as have occasion to visit the guards, used as a signal by which a friend is known from an enemy, or a person who has a right to pass the watch, from one who has not.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a slogan used to rally support for a cause; "a cry to arms"; "our watchword will be `democracy'" [syn: war cry, rallying cry, battle cry, cry, watchword]
2: a secret word or phrase known only to a restricted group; "he forgot the password" [syn: password, watchword, word, parole, countersign]

Merriam Webster's

noun Date: 15th century 1. a word or phrase used as a sign of recognition among members of the same society, class, or group 2. a. a word or motto that embodies a principle or guide to action of an individual or group ; slogan <“safety” is our watchword> b. a guiding principle <change is the watchword for both parties>

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. 1 a phrase summarizing a guiding principle; a slogan. 2 hist. a military password.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Watchword Watch"word`, n. 1. A word given to sentinels, and to such as have occasion to visit the guards, used as a signal by which a friend is known from an enemy, or a person who has a right to pass the watch from one who has not; a countersign; a password. 2. A sentiment or motto; esp., one used as a rallying cry or a signal for action. Nor deal in watchwords overmuch. --Tennyson.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(watchwords) Someone's watchword is a word or phrase that sums up their attitude or approach to a particular subject or to things in general. Caution has been one of Mr Allan's watchwords... N-COUNT: oft with poss

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n. Countersign, password.

Moby Thesaurus

bugle call, byword, call to arms, call-up, catchword, clarion, clarion call, conscription, countersign, device, epigraph, epithet, exhortation, go for broke, gung ho, inscription, levy, mobilization, motto, muster, open sesame, password, phrase, rally, rallying cry, rebel yell, recruitment, secret grip, shibboleth, slogan, tag line, tessera, token, trumpet call, war cry, war whoop, word