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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Wachword, n. Also: watch(e)word, vaych vord. [Late ME and e.m.E. wacche worde (Destr. Troy), watche word (c1475).]

1. A word or phrase identifying the user, a password. 1522 Mar & Kellie MSS 11.
20 footmen … sall nightlie come and ressave the wachword fra … Lord Erskin 1538 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 198.
That nayne us the gait fra viii houris furtht bot veychemen without the vaych vord 1600 Crim. Trials II 250.
For thei had appointit this for their wachword ‘The king is gane to the unce!’

2. Words used as a signal or exhortation to do something. b. transf.An event used as a signal. 1678–80 Kirk in Il Cappellano delle Fate 200.
Any good words that be usd in charming … are but Satans watchword to the actor, imploring his aid to do the featb. 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 22.
His cumming (as it was befoir aggreit amang thame) was ane watche word that all was reddy for the mater

3. A word of caution or advice. a1599 Rollock Wks. I 400.
Thairfoir I give this watchword, Let never man preis to be the occasioun of the away taking of the Gospell a1639 Spotsw. Hist. (1655) 197.
The ambassadours had a watchword given them not to see nor salute him