vigil

American  

[vij-uhl] / ˈvɪdʒ əl /

noun

1. wakefulness or watchfulness maintained for any reason during the normal hours for sleeping.

   They passed many hours in vigil.

2. a watch or a period of watchful attention maintained at night or at other times.

   The nurse kept her vigil at the bedside of the dying man.

3. a quiet demonstration to support a cause, protest an injustice, honor the dead, etc..

   A candlelight vigil in remembrance of the two fallen officers will be held tonight at sundown.

4. Ecclesiastical.

   1. Sometimes vigils a nocturnal devotional exercise or service, especially on the eve before a church festival.

      The Easter vigil reflects on the holy sacraments as well as the resurrection and ascension of Christ.

   2. the eve, or day and night, before a church festival, especially an eve that is a fast.

5. a period of wakefulness from inability to sleep.

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vigil British  

/ ˈvɪdʒɪl /

noun

1. a purposeful watch maintained, esp at night, to guard, observe, pray, etc

2. the period of such a watch

3. RC Church Church of England the eve of certain major festivals, formerly observed as a night spent in prayer: often marked by fasting and abstinence and a special Mass and divine office

4. a period of sleeplessness; insomnia

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Etymology

Origin of vigil

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English vigil(i)e, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin vigilia “eve of a holy day,” special use of Latin vigilia “watchfulness,” equivalent to vigil “sentry” + -ia -y ³

Example Sentences

The Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Webster Springs, W.VA., was planning vigils for Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the memorial wall in the town, according to the Webster County Veterans Auxiliary.

From The Wall Street Journal

In the days after Kirk’s killing, conservative ASU students were planning a vigil for thousands of mourners.

From The Wall Street Journal

Organizers say at least one of the arrestees was a 72-year-old priest who has participated in immigration vigils for more than a decade.

From Salon

Maduro called on his supporters in the eastern states of the country to hold "a vigil and a permanent march in the streets" during the military maneuvers, scheduled for November 16-21.

From Barron's

Hundreds of people attended a vigil for him outside of the hospital where he was being treated on Thursday night, according to officials.

From BBC

Related Words

• observance
• patrol