reveille

[ rev-uh-lee; British ri-val-ee ]

noun

1. a signal, as of a drum or bugle, sounded early in the morning to awaken military personnel and to alert them for assembly.
2. a signal to arise.

reveille

/ rɪˈvælɪ /

noun

1. a signal, given by a bugle, drum, etc, to awaken soldiers or sailors in the morning
2. the hour at which this takes place

Word History and Origins

Origin of reveille¹

1635–45; < French réveillez, plural imperative of réveiller to awaken, equivalent to r ( e ) - re- + éveiller, Old French esveillier ≪ Latin ēvigilāre to watch, be vigilant ( ē- e- ¹ + vigilāre to watch; vigil )

Word History and Origins

Origin of reveille¹

C17: from French réveillez! awake! from re- + Old French esveillier to be wakeful, ultimately from Latin vigilāre to keep watch; see vigil

Example Sentences

The school is currently on Reveille VIII, and all iterations have been female.

From The Daily Beast

Mascot matchup: The Texas AM Aggies (which means “agricultural school”) are represented by Reveille, a cute dog.

From The Daily Beast

It was early in the morning on the 4th of May when the reveille sounded for the last time over the hills and dales of Culpepper.

From Project Gutenberg

Before dawn had broken, the clear bugle notes of reveille sounded and set the camp astir.

From Project Gutenberg

While they were yet asleep in their bivouacs we were at breakfast, and their reveille generally found us setting out on the march.

From Project Gutenberg

Reveille had been sounded rather late, for the troops, wearied with long marching, were to have a day of rest.

From Project Gutenberg

Alarm guns were fired and the drums beat, not a call to village husbandmen only, but the reveille of humanity.

From Project Gutenberg