different between watchfulness vs restraint

English

Etymology

watchful +? -ness

Noun

watchfulness (countable and uncountable, plural watchfulnesses)

1. The state or quality of being watchful; alertness, vigilance or wakefulness.

   Continuous watchfulness is maintained around the clock.

   • 1665, Robert Hooke, Micrographia, Preface,^[1]

     The first thing to be undertaken in this weighty work, is a watchfulness over the failings and an inlargement of the dominion, of the Senses.

   • 1784, Samuel Johnson, letter addressed to Mr. Langton dated 25 August, 1784, cited in James Boswell, The Life of Samuel Johnson, London: Charles Dilly, 1791, Volume 2, p. 545,^[2]

     Nights of watchfulness produce torpid days […]

   • 1896, H. G. Wells, The Island of Doctor Moreau, New York: Stone & Kimball, Chapter 9, p. 82,^[3]

     Every dark form in the dimness had its ominous quality, its peculiar suggestion of alert watchfulness.

   • 1944, Neville Shute, Pastoral, London: Heinemann, Chapter 4,

     The steady rhythm of the engines, the fact that he had been sleeping badly, the boredom of a flight that he had done so many times before and did not want to do again, the long humiliation and unhappiness that was always in the background of his mind, all fought against his watchfulness.

Related terms

• watchful

Translations

English

Etymology

From Middle English restreynte, from Old French restreinte; more at restrain.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /???st?e?nt/

  Rhymes: -e?nt

Noun

restraint (countable and uncountable, plural restraints)

1. (countable) something that restrains, ties, fastens or secures

   Make sure all the restraints are tight.

2. (uncountable) control or caution; reserve

   Try to exercise restraint when talking to your boss.

   • November 2 2014, Daniel Taylor, "Sergio Agüero strike wins derby for Manchester City against 10-man United," guardian.co.uk

     City will feel nonplussed when they review the tape and Pellegrini had to summon all his restraint in the post-match interviews.

Related terms

• constraint
• restrain
• restrict

Translations

Anagrams

• retransit