noun a small beetle that makes a ticking sound, believed in folklore to portend a death
In military contexts, 'deathwatch' can refer to a vigil or watch kept over the bodies of fallen soldiers.
In literature, the term 'deathwatch' can refer to a vigil kept beside a dying person, or to the vigil itself.
In history, 'deathwatch' can refer to a practice of watching over the dead to prevent premature burial.
In entomology, a deathwatch beetle is a woodboring beetle that makes a tapping or ticking sound that was once believed to be an omen of death.
In horror fiction, 'deathwatch' can refer to a supernatural entity or ritual associated with predicting or causing death.
In literature, 'deathwatch' can refer to a vigil kept beside a dying person, often seen in novels or poems depicting the final moments of a character.
In psychology, 'deathwatch' may be used to describe the process of observing and documenting the behavior of a dying person, especially in the context of end-of-life care or hospice settings.
In medicine, 'deathwatch' may refer to the practice of monitoring a patient who is in critical condition and at risk of dying, often requiring close observation and intervention.
In the military, 'deathwatch' can be used to describe a period of heightened alertness or vigilance, especially when troops are in a dangerous or high-risk situation.
In historical contexts, 'deathwatch' may refer to the practice of keeping watch over a deceased person's body to prevent premature burial, which was more common in earlier centuries when medical knowledge was limited.