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

They gather for protests and vigils—not just to honor the dead but to express outrage and foment change.

From Outside Online

Something they can draw warmth fromPeople have been lighting candles during vigils, funerals, and other somber ceremonies since the times of the ancient Egyptians.

From Popular-Science

There were never any wanted signs outside the police academy or candlelight vigils in suburbia.

From Washington Post

On Wednesday evening, dozens met up for a vigil and a march starting at Seventh and Kennedy streets NW, where the incident occurred.

From Washington Post

Fansler once worked as a legal advocate for the local domestic violence shelter, Tundra Women’s Coalition, attended candlelight vigils and, as a member of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, managed a “Teens Acting Against Violence” program.

From ProPublica

“If 6,000 people were at the vigil, we hope it will be big,” said university student council President Jalen Ross of the search.

From The Daily Beast

The conference had already scheduled a candlelight vigil for those who died of AIDS.

From The Daily Beast

Obama happened to be in town the following Thursday, when there was a candlelight vigil for Rushing.

From The Daily Beast

Finally, there was a vigil of about ten people standing hand in hand across the street form the clinic praying quietly.

From The Daily Beast

After standing vigil at the scene of the crime, Adebolajo also approached cameras that began recording the aftermath.

From The Daily Beast

There was no night to bring his vigil or his meditations to a close, but time wore him out at last.

From Project Gutenberg

Its hiding-place was discovered by angelic music which issued from the mouth of the cave on every vigil of the holy apostle.

From Project Gutenberg

“We will stay,” said my father; and as terrible a vigil as ever poor creatures kept commenced.

From Project Gutenberg

It was not until long after midnight that he relaxed his straining, uneasy vigil, and stretched himself to unvexed sleep.

From Project Gutenberg

This morning I succeeded in eluding my uncle's vigil, and here I am.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• observance
• patrol