vigilia

vigil

noun bee-HEE-lyah Rare

Origin: From Latin vigilia (watch, wakefulness), from vigil (awake).

Also means

wakefulness

Usage Note

Vigilia has two main senses: a night spent awake watching or praying (una vigilia de oración = a prayer vigil), and the religious fast-day on the eve of a feast. It also names the state of being awake as opposed to sleep (entre la vigilia y el sueño = between waking and dreaming). Do not confuse with vigilancia (surveillance, watchfulness as an ongoing practice).

Examples

"Pasaron la noche en vigilia esperando noticias."

Natural Translation

They spent the night in a vigil waiting for news.

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