Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1200-1300
Language: Old French
Origin: vigile, from Latin vigilia 'staying awake, keeping watch', from vigil 'awake'

vigil

 noun
     
vig‧il [uncountable and countable]
1 a period of time, especially during the night, when you stay awake in order to pray, remain with someone who is ill, or watch for danger:
Eva and Paul kept a constant vigil by their daughter's hospital bedside.
2 a silent political protest in which people wait outside a building, especially during the night
silent/candlelit vigil
2000 demonstrators held a candlelit vigil outside the embassy.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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