Noun: vigil vi-jul
- A purposeful surveillance to guard or observe
"They held a vigil for the missing children";
- watch
- (religion) the rite of staying awake for devotional purposes (especially on the eve of a religious festival)
"The Easter vigil is an important part of Catholic tradition";
- watch
- A period of sleeplessness
"They kept a vigil by the patient's bedside throughout the night"
Derived forms: vigils
Type of: religious rite, rite, surveillance, wakefulness
Encyclopedia: Vigil, Spain