to watch that is be on guard (literally or figuratively); by implication to preserve . obey avoid

1. to guard

a. to watch, keep watch

b. to guard or watch, have an eye upon: lest he escape

c. to guard a person (or thing) that he may remain safe

1. lest he suffer violence, be despoiled, etc. to protect

2. to protect one from a person or thing

3. to keep from being snatched away, preserve safe and unimpaired

4. to guard from being lost or perishing

5. to guard one's self from a thing

d. to guard i.e. care for, take care not to violate

1. to observe

2. to observe for one's self something to escape

a. to avoid, shun flee from

b. to guard for one's self (i.e. for one's safety's sake) so as not to violate, i.e. to keep, observe (the precepts of the Mosaic law)