VIGIL Definition & Meaning

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vigil

[ vij-uhl ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

wakefulness or watchfulness maintained for any reason during the normal hours for sleeping:
They passed many hours in vigil.
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.
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.
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.
a period of wakefulness from inability to sleep.

vigil

/ ˈ��ɪ��ɪ�� /

noun

a purposeful watch maintained, esp at night, to guard, observe, pray, etc
the period of such a watch
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
a period of sleeplessness; insomnia

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51�Թ� 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

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51�Թ� 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 ��ŧ�� to be lively

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

As the news of the killings spread last week, Kashmiris poured onto the streets, holding candlelight vigils and protest marches.

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Authorities estimate that 100 people attended a vigil Sunday evening at the home of Santa Ana resident Alejandro Oliveros Acosta, 45, who was arrested and booked last week on suspicion of felony animal cruelty.

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He spoke at a vigil attended by hundreds of people from across the Lower Mainland on Sunday night.

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Earlier this week, the organization hosted a faith vigil where local clergy and leaders sang, prayed and called for Abrego Garcia's return.

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Relatives desperate for news of their missing loved ones have been holding vigils at the scene.

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Related 51�Թ�s

vigia vigilance

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