In the 18th century, the Swedish government made coffee and its paraphernalia (including cups and dishes) illegal for its supposed ties to rebellious sentiment.
WATCHFUL
alert, watchful
(adjective) engaged in or accustomed to close observation; “caught by a couple of alert cops”; “alert enough to spot the opportunity when it came”; “constantly alert and vigilant, like a sentinel on duty”
insomniac, sleepless, watchful
(adjective) experiencing or accompanied by sleeplessness; “insomniac old people”; “insomniac nights”; “lay sleepless all night”; “twenty watchful, weary, tedious nights”- Shakespeare
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Adjective
watchful (comparative more watchful, superlative most watchful)
observant, vigilant and aware
Source: Wiktionary
Watch"ful, a.
Definition: Full of watch; vigilant; attentive; careful to observe closely; observant; cautious; -- with of before the thing to be regulated or guarded; as, to be watchful of one's behavior; and with against before the thing to be avoided; as, to be watchful against the growth of vicious habits. "Many a watchful night." Shak. "Happy watchful shepherds." Milton. 'Twixt prayer and watchful love his heart dividing. Keble.
Syn.
– Vigilant; attentive; cautious; observant; circumspect; wakeful; heedful.
– Watch"ful*ly, adv.
– Watch"ful*ness, n.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
1 June 2025
BACKFIRE
(verb) come back to the originator of an action with an undesired effect; “Your comments may backfire and cause you a lot of trouble”; “the political movie backlashed on the Democrats”
Coffee Trivia
