VIGIL


Meaning of VIGIL in English

[ 'vɪdʒɪl ]

■ noun

1》 a period of staying awake during the time usually spent asleep, especially to keep watch or pray.

2》 (in the Christian Church) the eve of a festival or holy day as an occasion of religious observance.

↘( ~s ) nocturnal devotions.

3》 a stationary, peaceful demonstration in support of a cause.

Origin

ME: via OFr. from L. ~ia , from ~ 'awake'.

Concise Oxford English vocab.      Сжатый оксфордский словарь английского языка.