vigil

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a period of remaining awake to watch, guard, care for someone, or pray

   She kept a quiet vigil beside her father's hospital bed.

2. 2
   noun

   a public gathering, often held at night, for mourning, reflection, or protest

   Hundreds attended a candlelight vigil for the victims.

3. 3
   noun

   a devotional watch or religious service held on the eve of a holy day

   The congregation gathered for the Easter vigil after sunset.

From Middle English vigile, through Old French, from Latin vigilia ("wakefulness, watch"), based on vigil ("awake"). Latin vigil is related to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "lively, awake" and is also connected with wake.

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