VIG'ILANCE, noun [Latin vigilans. See Vigil.] 1. Forbearance of sleep; a state of being awake. 2. Watchfulness; circumspection; attention of the mind in discovering and guarding against danger, or providing for safety. vigilance is a virtue of prime importance in a general. The vigilance of the dog is no less remarkable than his fidelity. 3. Guard; watch. In at this gate none pass the vigilance here plac'd.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI