death-watch(n.)
"守夜在垂死者旁边",1865年,来自 death + watch (n.) "守夜"。 death-watch beetle (1660s) 栖息在房屋中,发出像怀表一样的滴答声,被迷信地认为是预示死亡的征兆。
FEW ears have escaped the noise of the death-watch, that is, the little clicking sound heard often in many rooms, somewhat resembling that of a watch; and this is conceived to be of an evil omen or prediction of some person's death: wherein notwithstanding there is nothing of rational presage or just cause of terror unto melancholy and meticulous heads. For this noise is made by a little sheathwinged grey insect, found often in wainscot benches and wood-work in the summer. [Browne, "Vulgar Errors"]
几乎没有人的耳朵能够逃脱死亡守夜的声音,也就是在许多房间经常听到的那种类似于手表的咔嗒声; 这被认为是某个人死亡的不祥之兆:尽管在这里,对于忧郁和过分细心的人来说,没有任何理性的预兆或恐惧的正当理由。因为这种声音是由一种小的灰色翅膀昆虫发出的,夏天经常在镶板长凳和木制品中发现。[布朗,《俗误》]
该词起源时间:1865年