vigil

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