vigil through the night; accompany overnight
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesverb
to keep vigil by the coffin on the night before the funeral
dialectA funeral custom where family members stay awake all night beside the coffin. Predominantly used in dialectal or traditional contexts.
According to local custom, family members must keep vigil for a night after a relative passes away.
He asked for leave to go home and keep vigil for his grandmother.
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The vigil ritual embodies the final companionship for the deceased.
verb
to accompany someone overnight; to stay with for the night
formalA general term for staying with someone (not necessarily for vigil). Can be used in various contexts like comforting a sick person or keeping someone company.
The patient needs care, so I'll stay overnight to accompany them.
Since it was the child's first time away from home, the mother came to the school to stay overnight with them.
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My friend was feeling down, so I went to her house to stay overnight and chat with her.