vigil

Everyday

1. A vigil is a time when you stay awake, especially at night, to watch over someone or something or to pray. tree →
2. A vigil is a quiet gathering of people to remember someone or to show they care about something, often with candles. tree →
3. (church) A vigil is a service on the evening before a holy day, such as the Easter Vigil. tree →

In the lessons

In church life, Christians keep a vigil of prayer, for example on Holy Saturday night (the Easter Vigil). Families may keep a vigil at a sick person's bed. After a sad event, people hold a candlelit vigil. In The Wind in the Willows Rat and Mole keep watch through the night looking for little Portly.

Examples

• The family kept a vigil by Grandad's bed. tree →
• People held a candlelit vigil for the victims. tree →
• The Easter Vigil is held on Saturday night. tree →
• The soldiers kept vigil at the gate. tree →
• Rat and Mole kept vigil all night by the river. tree →
• She kept a long vigil waiting for news. tree →
• Then he passed his vigils in Brugeford Chapel, and at dawn of day took his post on the Worm's Rock in the River Wear. tree →

Note

Countable. Phrase: «keep (a) vigil». Adjective: vigilant (watchful). Related: vigilance.