watchword

Pronunciation: /ˈwɒt͡ʃwɜː(ɹ)d/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a slogan used to rally support for a cause
  2. noun a secret word or phrase known only to a restricted group

Etymology

From Middle English wacche word, wacchworde, morphologically as watch (“guard, sentinel, sentry”) + word.

In classic literature

Synonyms

war cry, rallying cry, battle cry, cry

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
motto

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