watch fire

a fire maintained during the night as a signal and for providing light and warmth for guards.

Origin of watch fire

First recorded in 1795–1805

Taking Edith by the hand, Baroness Baradlay advanced toward the first watch-fire.

The Baron's Sons |Mr Jkai
How the old man brightened when a blue curl of distant smoke promised him a speedy sight of St. Udo's watch-fire!

Faithful Margaret |Annie Ashmore
The watch-fire is out to-night,—the first night in eight months.

The Master-Knot of Human Fate |Ellis Meredith
The doctor and I sat one night by our watch-fire talking the matter over, and I said that I began to be doubtful of success.

Bunyip Land |George Manville Fenn

Your face has flitted out of my watch-fire, and then I have been a haunted man.

Anna the Adventuress |E. Phillips Oppenheim

watch fire

a fire kept burning at night as a signal or for warmth and light by a person keeping watch