Guettait (en. Was watching)

ɡɛtɛ

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

verb

Watch attentively in anticipation of something.

He had been watching for his bus for a while.

Il guettait son bus depuis un moment.

Stand by, ready to act.

She was waiting for the right moment to intervene.

Elle guettait le bon moment pour intervenir.

Stay alert, be vigilant.

They were watching for the reaction of passersby.

Ils guettaient la réaction des passants.

From Old French 'guetter', derived from Germanic.

watch for the right moment

Wait for the right moment to act.

guetter le moment propice

watch like a predator

Observe very attentively and patiently.

guetter comme un prédateur

watcher

A person who watches, who surveys.

guetteur

to watch

To be awaiting an event, to monitor.

guetter

To hang around

He is there, hanging around the street waiting.

Il est là, il patte sur la rue en attendant.

To keep watch

We were keeping watch to ensure everything was calm.

On faisait le guet pour s'assurer que tout était calme.