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watch guard

watch guard

6.7
A short chain or ribbon that clips a pocket watch to clothing
  • noun
  • Archaic
translation icon : cadena de reloj
  • He attached the watch guard to his vest.

Examples

  • He wore a vintage vest complete with a silver watch guard clipped to his pocket watch.

  • The antique shop displayed several ornate watch guards alongside gold pocket watches.

  • A velvet watch guard hung elegantly from the gentleman’s waistcoat.

  • Look at that beautiful watch guard!

  • He wore a vintage vest complete with a silver watch guard clipped to his pocket watch.

  • A velvet watch guard hung elegantly from the gentleman’s waistcoat.

  • The antique shop displayed several ornate watch guards alongside gold pocket watches.

Synonyms

fob
vswatch guard
  • Archaic
5 9.7

A small chain or ornament attached to a pocket watch

is specifically meant to fasten a timepiece to a vest for security and access
watch chain
vswatch guard
  • Archaic
1 2.8

A short chain or ribbon that holds a pocket watch on a vest

emphasizes keeping the timepiece secure and easy to reach

How Secure

lanyard
6 4.4
watch guard
  • Archaic
6.7
ribbon
154 1.0

Surface Forms

watch guard singular
watch guards plural

Morphology

watch + guard

The intended meaning (a chain or ribbon for a pocket watch) is not directly predictable from the provided senses: 'watch' as a duty/team and 'guard' as a protective cover. Even if a learner knows 'watch' as a timepiece and 'guard' as something protective, the specific form and function (a securing chain/ribbon) are not clearly implied, so the relation is only partially transparent and requires exposure.

Etymology

Watch guard comes from the simple image of a small chain or ribbon that attaches a pocket watch to a vest and acts as a guard, 'keeping it safe' and easy to reach, so the name means a short strap or chain used to hold a watch securely.