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

On Saturday, her friends held a candlelit vigil close to the US embassy in Budapest.

From BBC

The day after the Southport attack, thousands attended a peaceful vigil in the town, but a separate protest later turned violent outside a mosque.

From BBC

Fans, who held vigils in the star's memory last weekend, have also responded by sending his music back into the charts.

From BBC

About 150 people gathered for a vigil outside the Old Bailey in central London on Monday after jurors returned their verdict.

From BBC

About 150 people gathered for a vigil outside the Old Bailey on Monday after jurors returned their verdict.

From BBC

Related Words

• observance
• patrol