vigil

[vij-uhl]

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.

vigil

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of vigil¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of vigil¹

C13: from Old French vigile, from Medieval Latin vigilia watch preceding a religious festival, from Latin: vigilance, from vigil alert, from vigēre to be lively

Example Sentences

A viewing, rosary and vigil will be held at St. Luke’s in Temple City on Monday, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

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Hundreds of mourners gathered for a vigil in the city on Sunday morning, lighting candles for the victim, local media reported.

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Pulane Lucas, mom of ex-NFL player Stanley Wilson Jr., will participate in the Mother’s Day vigil outside the Twin Towers Correctional Facility with other affected parents.

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Last month, members of the Sikh community gathered in protest and later held a vigil to show their support for the victim and discuss violence against women.

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They’re accompanying migrants to their immigration hearings, hosting vigils for people that have been disappeared by ICE and protesting in the streets for immigrant rights.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• observance 
• patrol