(Gr olonychtia) Spiritual exercises during the night preceding the feast day of a saint or another major feast, observed by various spiritual preparations, prayers and services
A vigil is a period of time when people remain quietly in a place, especially at night, for example because they are praying or are making a political protest. Protesters are holding a twenty-four hour vigil outside the socialist party headquarters. If someone keeps a vigil or keeps vigil somewhere, they remain there quietly for a period of time, especially at night, for example because they are praying or are making a political protest. She kept a vigil at Patrick's bedside
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