night watchman

English

Alternative forms

Pronunciation

  • (file)

Noun

night watchman (plural night watchmen)

  1. (historical) Prior to police forces, a person appointed by a town or city to walk the streets at night and guard the burghers from felons and robbers.
  2. A person who guards (usually at a building) at night.
    • 1966, Bob Dylan (lyrics and music), “Visions of Johanna”, in Blonde on Blonde:
      We can hear the night watchman click his flashlight / Ask himself if it's him or them that's insane
  3. (cricket) The last batsman in a three or five day game to play on a particular day and thus carry over the batting to the following day.

Derived terms

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