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

For the next 11 hours, her family kept a vigil by her body as she lay on the road under a sheet.

From BBC

More vigils and demonstrations are planned for the coming days.

From BBC

Dozens of other clips were played, showing the defendants speaking at vigils, protests and press interviews over the years.

From Barron's

Over the course of the weekend, multiple vigils were held in the city as residents sought to remember and celebrate Pretti's life.

From BBC

Fans will distribute petitions to prevent a beloved attraction from closing, and sit vigil when it does.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• observance
• patrol