n. 1 a keeping awake during the time usually given to sleep, esp. to keep watch or pray (keep vigil). b a period of this. 2 Eccl. the eve of a festival or holy day. 3 (in pl.) nocturnal devotions.
[ ME f. OF vigile f. L vigilia f. vigil awake ]
VIGIL
Meaning of VIGIL in English
Concise Oxford English dictionary. Краткий оксфордский словарь английского языка. 2012