vigilance
Definition of vigilance
OTHER WORDS FOR vigilance
Origin of vigilance
OTHER WORDS FROM vigilance
hy·per·vig·i·lance, nounnon·vig·i·lance, nounpre·vig·i·lance, nounsu·per·vig·i·lance, nounWords nearby vigilance
MORE ABOUT VIGILANCE
What does vigilance mean?
Vigilance is the state of being watchful or alert for danger or some other kind of trouble.
Vigilance is the noun form of the adjective vigilant, meaning watchful or alert.
Vigilance is often used when talking about keeping something out or inâwhether that means keeping mistakes out of your work, robbers out of your home, or the dog inside the house.
In a medical context, vigilance is sometimes used as a synonym for insomniaâthe state of being unable to sleep.
Example: We must be vigilant if we want to protect our home from invaders.
Where does vigilance come from?
The first records of the word vigilance come from around 1570. It comes from an earlier and now obsolete version of the word spelled vigilancy. It derives from the Latin vigilÄns, which means âkeeping awakeâ and comes from the Latin verb vigilÄre, meaning âto be watchful.â It is related to other words that imply watchfulness (and sometimes potential danger), such as vigil and vigilante. In fact, the Latin word vigil means âsentry,â a person who stands guard, such as to look out for dangers such as invaders, escapees, or fire.
Vigilance, then, is the state of acting like a guard who watches to make sure that bad things donât happen. Of course, those bad things can take many forms, depending on the context in which vigilance is used. Someone might tell you to maintain vigilance while walking home in the dark. Vigilance often involves watching out for unknown dangers. Parents often maintain vigilance in monitoring their childrenâs internet use. Election officials maintain vigilance over the voting process. In all cases, vigilance involves being watchful and alert without letting your guard down. It doesnât always have to involve the potential for danger or trouble, but it usually does.
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What are some other forms of vigilance?
- vigilant (adjective)
What are some synonyms for vigilance?
What are some words that share a root or word element with vigilance?Â
What are some words that often get used in discussing vigilance?
How is vigilance used in real life?
Vigilance is often used in serious contexts, such as safety, politics, and national security.
Wray: Itâs important because it underlines just how serious our fight against terrorism is, and how vital it is for the FBI to maintain its unflagging vigilance against this threat.
— FBI (@FBI) May 18, 2020
Depression is hard to comprehend. It is complex and non-uniform. It takes an individual, vigilance and dedication to endure. Neuroplasticity is a labyrinth to navigate. It takes time and patience.
If you can't comprehend it, that's fine, but compassion is a good place to start.
— Bob Morley (@WildpipM) May 16, 2020
"It is our task in our time and in our generation, to hand down undiminished to those who come after us… the natural wealth and beauty which is ours. To do this will require constant attention and vigilance–sustained vigor and imagination."
— John F. Kennedy (@JohnFKennedy) May 15, 2020
Try using vigilance!
Is vigilance used correctly in the following sentence?
His vigilance allowed the dog to slip out the door while he wasnât looking.