vigil
Americannoun
-
wakefulness or watchfulness maintained for any reason during the normal hours for sleeping.
They passed many hours in vigil.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Ecclesiastical.
-
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.
-
the eve, or day and night, before a church festival, especially an eve that is a fast.
-
-
a period of wakefulness from inability to sleep.
noun
-
a purposeful watch maintained, esp at night, to guard, observe, pray, etc
-
the period of such a watch
-
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
-
a period of sleeplessness; insomnia
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A vigil in her memory will also be held at Derry's Guildhall on Friday evening.
From BBC
The inquiry also heard Ian's sons only found out about a vigil, organised by Nottingham City Council, at the Council House in Old Market Square on 16 June from a Sky News journalist.
From BBC
The community, composed of residents living in caravans and temporary structures, holds regular anti-nuclear demonstrations, vigils, and direct actions against nuclear weapons.
From BBC
Consuegra was among a group of supporters who held a vigil in Little Havana in Miami on Thursday for the men who were killed and injured.
His mother and brother had kept a vigil at his bedside in Cuba.
From Literature
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
