vigils

Noun

vigil (plural vigils)

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

   Synonyms:

   lookout, look-out, qui vive, watch

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.

See all 6 meanings of vigil