Definition of Vigils. Meaning of Vigils. Synonyms of Vigils
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Definition of Vigils
Vigil Vigil Vig"il, n. [OE. vigile, L. vigilia, from vigil awake,
watchful, probably akin to E. wake: cf. F. vigile. See
Wake, v. i., and cf. Reveille, Surveillance, Vedette,
Vegetable, Vigor.]
1. Abstinence from sleep, whether at a time when sleep is
customary or not; the act of keeping awake, or the state
of being awake, or the state of being awake;
sleeplessness; wakefulness; watch. ``Worn out by the
labors and vigils of many months.' --Macaulay.
Nothing wears out a fine face like the vigils of the
card table and those cutting passions which attend
them. --Addison.
2. Hence, devotional watching; waking for prayer, or other
religious exercises.
So they in heaven their odes and vigils tuned.
--Milton.
Be sober and keep vigil, The Judge is at the gate.
--Neale
(Rhythm of St.
Bernard).
3. (Eccl.)
(a) Originally, the watch kept on the night before a
feast.
(b) Later, the day and the night preceding a feast.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbors,
And say, ``To-morrow is St. Crispian.' --Shak.
(c) A religious service performed in the evening preceding
a feast.
Vigils, or Watchings, of flowers (Bot.), a peculiar
faculty belonging to the flowers of certain plants of
opening and closing their petals as certain hours of the
day. [R.]
