deathwatch meaning

UK US /ˈdɛθwɑtʃ/ 2 syllables

deathwatch (noun): minute wingless psocopterous insects injurious to books and papers.

deathwatch has 2 meanings in this dictionary.

deathwatch as a noun

  1. minute wingless psocopterous insects injurious to books and papers

    Synonyms: booklouse, book louse, Liposcelis divinatorius

    Type of: psocopterous insect

    Kinds: common booklouse

  2. bores through wood making a ticking sound popularly thought to presage death

    Synonyms: deathwatch beetle, Xestobium rufovillosum

    Type of: beetle

How to pronounce deathwatch

deathwatch is pronounced /ˈdɛθwɑtʃ/ in American English. It has 2 syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.

Word lists: words starting with DE · words ending in CH · 10-letter words

More about deathwatch on Wikipedia.