Etymology From Middle English vigile (“a devotional watching”), from Old French vigile, from Latin vigilia (“wakefulness, watch”), from vigil (“awake”), from Proto-Indo-European *weǵ- (“to be strong, lively, awake”). Doublet of Wigilia. See also wake and vigor, from the same root.
1
An instance of keeping awake during normal sleeping hours, especially to keep watch or pray.
I saw her head drooped upon her hand; her whole attitude expressing that profound depression, whose lonely vigil wastes the midnight in a gloomy watch, which yet hopes for nothing at its close.1834, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter XII, in Francesca Carrara. […], volume II, London: Richard Bentley, […], (successor to Henry Colburn), →OCLC, page 149:
Eventually the body trade grew so reckless that relatives took to holding graveside vigils, lest their loved ones disappear in the night.2016, Colson Whitehead, The Underground Railroad, Fleet (2017), page 165:
2 more examples
A vigil was held for Ms. Cheptegei on Wednesday night, Ms. Indimuli said, with many women praying that she would survive.2024 September 5, Isabella Kwai, John Yoon, “Rebecca Cheptegei, Olympic Runner From Uganda, Dies After Gasoline Attack”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 13 Sep 2024:
Mortenson, who asked to use a pseudonym for this story, says she has been attending rallies and vigils in her home state to regain her optimism, but she’s finding it tough.2025 March 3, Nico Lang, ““Simply Trying to Exist”: How Trans Americans Are Navigating the Confusion and Chaos of Trump’s Passport Policy”, in Them, archived from the original on 13 Mar 2025:
2
A period of observation or surveillance at any hour.
His dog kept vigil outside the hospital for eight days while he was recovering from an accident.
3
The eve of a religious festival in which staying awake is part of the ritual devotions.
4
A quiet demonstration in support of a cause.
The protesters kept vigil outside the conference centre in which the party congress was being held.
Etymology From Middle English vigile (“a devotional watching”), from Old French vigile, from Latin vigilia (“wakefulness, watch”), from vigil (“awake”), from Proto-Indo-European *weǵ- (“to be strong, lively, awake”). Doublet of Wigilia. See also wake and vigor, from the same root.
1
To participate in a vigil.
As the arrested painters and their supporters waited out their "day in court," other activists distributed Hiroshima information leaflets, vigiled silently with placards and banners, and marched 500-strong through downtown Boston to a rally at City Hall Plaza.1985 August 17, Loie Hayes, “Lesbian 'Shadow Painters' Join in Nuclear Protest”, in Gay Community News, volume 13, number 6, page 1: