War - WAR, n. [G., to perplex, embroil, disturb. The primary sense of the root is to strive, struggle, urge, drive, or to turn, to twist.]
1. A contest between nations or states, carried on by force, either for defense, or for revenging insults and redressing wrongs, for the extension of commerce or acquisition of territory, or for obtaining and establishing the superiority and dominion of one over the other. These objects are accomplished by the slaughter or capture of troops, and the capture and destruction of ships, towns and property. Among rude nations, war is often waged and carried on for plunder. As war is the contest of nations or states, it always implies that such contest is authorized by the monarch or the sovereign power of the nation. When war is commenced by attacking a nation in peace, it si called an offensive war, and such attack is aggressive. When war is undertaken to repel invasion or the attacks of an enemy, it is called defensive, and a defensive war is considered as justifiable. Very few of the wars that have desolated nations and deluged the earth with blood, have been justifiable. Happy would it be for mankind, if the prevalence of Christian principles might ultimately extinguish the spirit of war, and if the ambition to be great, might yield to the ambition of being good.
Preparation for war is sometimes the best security for peace.
2. In poetical language, instruments of war.
His complement of stores, and total war.
3. Poetically, forces; army.
Oer the embattled ranks the waves return, and overwhelm their war.
4. The profession of arms; art of war; as a fierce man of war. Isa 2.
5. Hostility; state of opposition or contest; act of opposition.
6. Enmity; disposition to contention.
The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart. Psa 55.
Man of war, in naval affairs, a ship of large size, armed and equipped for attack or defense.
Holy war, a crusade; a war undertaken to deliver the Holy Land, or Judea, from infidels. These holy wars were carried on by most unholy means.
WAR, v.i.
1. To make war; to invade or attack a nation or state with force of arms; to carry on hostilities; or to be in a state of contest by violence.
He teacheth my hands to war. 2 Sam 22.
And they warred against eh Midianites. Num 31.
Why should I war without the walls of Troy?
2. To contend; to strive violently; to be in a state of opposition.
Lusts which war against the soul. 1 Pet 2.
WAR, v.t.
1. To make war upon; as, to war the Scot. [Not used.]
2. To carry on a contest.
That thou mightest war a good warfare. 1 Tim 1.
Warn - WARN, v.t. [G.]
1. To give notice of approaching or probable danger or evil, that it may be avoided; to caution against any thing that may prove injurious.
Juturna warns the Daunian chief of Lausus danger-- being warned of God in a dream, that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. Mat 2.
2. To caution against evil practices. 1 Th 5.
3. To admonish of any duty.
Cornelius--was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee. Acts 10.
4. To inform previously; to give notice to.
--Warned of the ensuing fight.
5. To notify by authority; to summon; as, to warn the citizens to meet on a certain day; to warn soldiers to appear on parade.
6. To ward off. [Not in use.]
Watch - WATCH, n. [It is from the same root as wake, which see.]
1. Forbearance of sleep.
2. Attendance without sleep.
All the long night their mournful watch they keep.
3. Attention; close observation. Keep watch of the suspicious man.
4. Guard; vigilance for keeping or protecting against danger.
He kept both watch and ward.
5. A watchman, or watchmen; men set for a guard, either one person or more, set to espy the approach of an enemy or other danger, and to give an alarm or notice of such danger; a sentinel; a guard. He kept a watch at the gate.
Ye have a watch; go your way, make it as sure as ye can. Mat 27.
6. The place where a guard is kept.
He upbraids I ago, that he made him brave me upon the watch.
7. Post or office of a watchman.
As I did stand my watch upon the hill--
8. A period of the night, in which one person or one set of persons stand as sentinels; or the time from one relief of sentinels to another. This period among the Israelites, seems to have been originally four hours, but was afterwards three hours, and there were four watches during the night. Hence we read in Scripture of the morning watch, and of the second, third and fourth watch; the evening watch commencing at six oclock, the second at nine, the third at twelve, and the fourth at three in the morning. Exo 14. Mat 14. Luke 12.
9. A small time piece or chronometer, to be carried in the pocket or about the person, in which the machinery is moved by a spring.
10. At sea, the space of time during which one set or division of the crew remain on deck to perform the necessary duties.
This is different in different nations.
To be on the watch, to be looking steadily for some event.
WATCH, v.i.
1. To be awake; to be or continue without sleep.
I have two nights watchd with you.
2. To be attentive; to look with attention or steadiness. Watch and see when the man passes.
3. To look with expectation.
My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning. Psa 130.
4. To keep guard; to act as sentinel; to look for danger.
He gave signal to the minister that watchd.
5. To be attentive; to be vigilant in preparation for an event or trial, the time of whose arrival is uncertain.
Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Mat 24.
6. To be insidiously attentive; as, to watch for an opportunity to injure another.
7. To attend on the sick during the night; as, to watch with a man in a fever.
To watch over, to be cautiously observant of; to inspect, superintend and guard from error and danger. It is our duty constantly to watch over our own conduct and that of our children.
WATCH, v.t.
1. To guard; to have in keeping.
Flaming ministers watch and tend their charge.
2. To observe in ambush; to lie in wait for.
Saul also sent messengers to Davids house to watch him, and to slay him. 1 Sam 19.
3. To tend; to guard.
Paris watched the flocks in the groves of Ida.
4. To observe in order to detect or prevent, or for some particular purpose; as, to watch a suspected person; to watch the progress of a bill in the legislature.
Water-course - WATER-COURSE, n. [water and course.]
1. A stream of water; a river or brook. Isa 44.
2. A channel or canal for the conveyance of water, particularly in draining lands.
What - WHAT, pronoun relative or substitute. [G., L. See Wight.]
1. That which. Say what you will, is the same as say that which you will.
2. Which part. Consider what is due to nature, and what to art or labor.
3. What is the substitute for a sentence or clause of a sentence. I tell thee what, corporal, I could tear her. Here what relates to the last clause, I could tear her; this is what I tell you.
4. What is used as an adjective, of both genders, often in specifying sorts or particulars. See what colors this silk exhibits. I know what qualities you desire in a friend; that is, I know the qualities which you desire.
5. What is much used in asking questions. What sort of character is this? What poem is this? What man is this we see coming?
6. What time, at the time or on the day when.
What time the morn mysterious visions brings.
7. To how great a degree.
What a partial judges are our love and hate!
8. Whatever.
Whether it was the shortness of his foresight, the strength of his will--or what it was--
9. Some part, or some. The year before, he had so used the matter, that what by force, what by policy, he had taken from the Christians above thirty castles; that is, he had taken above thirty castles; that is, he had taken above thirty castles, a part or some by force, a part or some by policy; or what may be interpreted partly. Sometimes what has no verb to govern it, and it must be considered as adverbially used. What with carrying apples and fuel, he finds himself in a hurry; that is, partly, in part.
10. What is sometimes used elliptically for what is this, or how is this?
What! Could ye not watch with me one hour? Mat 26.
11. What is used interrogatively and elliptically, as equivalent to what will be the consequence? What will follow? As in the phrase, what if I undertake this business myself?
What though, that is, grant this or that; allow it to be so.
What ho, an exclamation of calling.
WHAT, n. Fare; things; matter. [Not in use.]