Definition

1. Noun:
   • A purposeful watch or period of staying awake, especially to guard, observe, or pray: A vigil is an act or period of keeping awake and alert, often during the usual hours of sleep, for a specific purpose such as protection, observation, or religious devotion.
   • A devotional observance, especially the eve of a religious festival: In a religious context, a vigil refers to the day (or night) before a major feast, often observed with prayer and fasting.
   • A state or period of being unable to sleep: A vigil can also describe a bout of sleeplessness or wakefulness.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The security guard kept a silent vigil over the museum all night.
  • The community held a candlelight vigil to remember the victims.
  • She spent a sleepless vigil by her father's hospital bed.
  • The Easter Vigil is an important service in many Christian churches.

Advanced Usage

• "To keep vigil": To maintain a watch, especially over a sick person, a dead body, or a sacred place.
  • The family took turns keeping vigil at the funeral home.
• "Candlelight vigil": A peaceful gathering of people holding candles, often to show support or remembrance.
  • A candlelight vigil was organized to honor the fallen soldiers.

Variants and Related Words

• Vigilant (adj): Being watchful for possible danger or difficulties; alert.
  • The vigilant hiker noticed the change in the weather.
• Vigilance (n): The action or state of keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties.
  • Constant vigilance is required when operating heavy machinery.

Synonyms

• Watch: An act or instance of watching or observing.
• Wake: A watch or vigil held beside the body of someone who has died.
• Surveillance: Close observation, especially of a suspected person or area.

Related Phrases

• Vigil of prayer: A period of time set aside for communal or personal prayer.
  • The church held an all-night vigil of prayer for peace.
• Death vigil: The act of staying with a person who is dying.
  • The nurse was a comforting presence during the death vigil.

Noun

1. a purposeful surveillance to guard or observe
2. the rite of staying awake for devotional purposes (especially on the eve of a religious festival)
3. a period of sleeplessness