vigil

noun

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.”

   “Eventually the body trade grew so reckless that relatives took to holding graveside vigils, lest their loved ones disappear in the night.”

   “A vigil was held for Ms. Cheptegei on Wednesday night, Ms. Indimuli said, with many women praying that she would survive.”

   “Mortenson, who asked to use a pseudonym for this story, says she has been attending rallies and vigils in her home state to regain her optimism, but she’s finding it tough.”

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.”

verb

1. To participate in a vigil.

   “As the arrested painters and their supporters waited out their "day in court," other activists distributed Hiroshima information leaflets, vigiled silently with placards and banners, and marched 500-strong through downtown Boston to a rally at City Hall Plaza.”

name

1. A surname.