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; sleeplessness; wakefulness; watch. “Worn out by the labors and vigils of many months.” Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nothing wears out a fine face like the vigils of the card table and those cutting passions which attend them. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence, devotional watching; waking for prayer, or other religious exercises. [ 1913 Webster ]

So they in heaven their odes and vigils tuned. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Be sober and keep vigil,
The Judge is at the gate. Neale (Rhythm of St. Bernard). [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Eccl.) (a) Originally, the watch kept on the night before a feast. (b) Later, the day and the night preceding a feast. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

(c) A religious service performed in the evening preceding a feast. [ 1913 Webster ]

Vigils of flowers or
Watchings of flowers (Bot.), a peculiar faculty belonging to the flowers of certain plants of opening and closing their petals at certain hours of the day. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. vigilantia: cf. F. vigilance. ] 1. The quality or state of being vigilant; forbearance of sleep; wakefulness. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Watchfulness in respect of danger; care; caution; circumspection. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]

And flaming ministers to watch and tend
Their earthly charge; of these the vigilance
I dread. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Guard; watch. [ Obs. ] “In at this gate none pass the vigilance here placed.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Vigilance committee, a volunteer committee of citizens for the oversight and protection of any interest, esp. one organized for the summary suppression and punishment of crime, as when the processes of law appear inadequate. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Vigilance. [ Obs. ] Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. vigilans, -antis, p. pr. of vigilare to watch, fr. vigil awake: cf. F. vigilant. See Vigil. ] Attentive to discover and avoid danger, or to provide for safety; wakeful; watchful; circumspect; wary. “Be sober, be vigilant.” 1 Pet. v. 8. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sirs, take your places, and be vigilant. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a vigilant manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. vigilia. ] A vigil. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]