watch night

noun

a devotional service (especially on New Year's Eve)

• Hypernyms: ↑service, ↑religious service, ↑divine service

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noun

1. : a devotional exercise lasting until after midnight and held originally each month by Wesleyan Methodists and later by them and others on New Year's Eve

2. usually capitalized W&N : the last night of the year

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1. the last night of the year, observed in a watch meeting.

2. See watch meeting.

[1735-45]

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watch night noun (religion)

1. In some Protestant churches, the night of Christmas Eve (24 December) or New Year's Eve (31 December)

2. (also watch-night service) a service lasting through midnight held on these nights

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Main Entry: ↑watch

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watch night,

1. New Year's Eve, observed by Methodist and certain other churches with religious services which last until the arrival of the new year.

2. = watch meeting. (Cf. ↑watch meeting)

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n. a religious service held on New Year's Eve or Christmas Eve