vigil

Latin

awake, watchful, alert

Variants

vigilvigile

About This Root

From Latin vigil (awake, watchful), from vigēre (to be lively). Originally referred to staying awake at night to keep watch. Vigilant means watchful and alert; vigilance is the state of constant watchfulness. Surveillance (watching from above — from French sur + veiller, also from vigil) and invigilate (to watch over an exam) extend the root into institutional watching.

Associated Words

invigilate

To supervise an examination to prevent cheating

IELTSGRE

surveillance

Close observation or monitoring of a person or area

GREB2

vigilance

Alert and careful watchfulness, especially to avoid danger

TOEFLC2

vigilant

Carefully watchful and alert, especially to danger

IELTSTOEFLGRE