vigil
noun/ˈvɪdʒɪl/
/ˈvɪdʒɪl/
[countable, uncountable]- a period of time when people do not sleep, especially at night, in order to watch a sick person, say prayers, protest, etc.
- His parents kept a round-the-clock vigil at his bedside.
- Students held a candlelit vigil against the war.
Extra Examples- For three nights, the shepherd maintained his lonely vigil.
- He told the gatekeeper to keep vigil.
- His fiancée kept a bedside vigil during his weeks in intensive care.
- Protesters held a candlelight/candlelit vigil against the war.
- Since the accident, the boy's parents have kept a constant vigil at his bedside.
- a silent vigil outside the presidential palace
- a vigil for the murdered politician
- the husband's vigil over his dying wife
Word OriginMiddle English: via Old French from Latin vigilia, from vigil ‘awake’.
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vigil