vigil light

American  

noun

1. a small candle in a church lighted as a devotional act.

2. a candle or small light kept burning before a shrine, icon, etc.

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vigil light British  

noun

1. a small candle lit as an act of personal devotion before a shrine or statue, usually in a church

2. a small lamp kept permanently burning before such a shrine or statue

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Etymology

Origin of vigil light

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

She said the use of “so-called electric vigil lights” is prohibited under guidelines issued by the U.S.

From Washington Times

Alvin Ailey dancers flicker like vigil lights in a dark theater.

From New York Times

Items cemetery staff will remove and discard include vigil lights, statues, floral decorations, fences, boxes, toys, vases, glass, wood signs, cement blocks, and similar articles.

From Seattle Times

A coldness passing through its root-beer-colored bricks, invading its rooms and blowing out the vigil light burning in the hall.

From Literature

He sat in one of the pews next to a bank of vigil lights and decorated his hands, his packages stacked beside him.

From Literature