watchword
Meaning
A word or phrase that expresses a principle or goal, used by a group.
A word or phrase used as a sign of recognition among members of a group; a password.
Structure
Usage
"Sustainability has become the watchword for the entire industry."
"In the old fortress, the watchword was changed every night."
"Their political campaign's watchword was 'unity and progress'."
Etymology
The term 'watchword' is a compound formed from two native English elements, 'watch' and 'word'. Its earliest military sense, dating to the 16th century, was a literal 'word' given to sentinels on 'watch' to distinguish friend from foe, effectively a password. This concrete usage evolved logically into a more abstract meaning: a word or slogan that members of a group 'watch' or pay attention to as a guiding principle. Thus, the journey from a practical security command to a symbolic rallying cry perfectly encapsulates the compound's inherent logic of a 'word to be vigilant about'.
Analysis
- watch: From Old English wæccan (to watch, be awake), of Germanic origin. Functional role: The core concept of vigilance or attention. - word: From Old English word, of Germanic origin. Functional role: The linguistic unit, the thing that is spoken or communicated.