Watchman
Nocturnal security patrol
A watchman is a person who guards or patrols a building, property, or area, especially at night.
The role is ancient—someone hired to stay awake while others sleep, watching for fire, theft, or intrusion.
The night watchman made his rounds every hour.
The term now sounds old-fashioned; security guard has largely replaced it in contemporary usage.
Watchful defensive attention
- sentryGuard on duty
- patrolRegular surveillance route
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- checkpointInspection station on route
nightwatch · gatekeeper · lookout · vigilance · rounds · post · duty · station
One who tends flocks
- flockAnimals gathered together
- prophetDivinely inspired messenger
- IsaiahHebrew prophet, major book
- EzekielHebrew prophet in captivity
wall · Jerusalem · warning · trumpet · spiritual · vision · messenger · guardian
Mockery exposing vice
- observerOne who perceives events
- witnessOne who attests
- conscienceInternal moral sense
- narratorOne who tells events
Orwell · dystopia · surveillance · testimony · chronicle · recorder · moral · society
guard
Watchful defensive attention
- sentryGuard on duty
- patrolRegular surveillance route
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
checkpoint · nightwatch · gatekeeper · lookout · vigilance · rounds · post · duty · station · shift
shepherd
One who tends flocks
Ezekiel · wall · Jerusalem · warning · trumpet · spiritual · vision · messenger · guardian · soul
satire
Mockery exposing vice
- observerOne who perceives events
- witnessOne who attests
- conscienceInternal moral sense
narrator · Orwell · dystopia · surveillance · testimony · chronicle · recorder · moral · society · corruption
lamplighter
One who lit streetlights
medieval · colonial · constable · parish · Victorian · tower · rampart · city gates · horn · pike
crow's nest
Elevated ship observation platform
- deckShip's flat surface
- harborSafe anchorage for ships
- lighthouseCoastal beacon tower
maritime · vessel · ship · anchor · port · starboard · sailor · maritime · telescope · horizon
- Southwest UtahZion National Park, Zion Canyon, St. George, Hurricane, Virgin River
- Native SurnamesLargo, Whitehorse, Sitting Bull
- night watchmanOvernight security guard
- night watchmenOvernight security personnel