vigilance

[vij-uh-luhns] Origin

vig·i·lance

[vij-uh-luhns]
noun
1.
state or quality of being vigilant; watchfulness: Vigilance is required in the event of treachery.
2.
Pathology. insomnia.

Origin:
1560–70; alteration (-ance for -ancy) of obsolete vigilancy < Latin vigilantia; see vigilant, -ancy

hy·per·vig·i·lance, noun
non·vig·i·lance, noun
pre·vig·i·lance, noun
su·per·vig·i·lance, noun


1. alertness, attention, heedfulness, concern, care.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Vigilance is always a great word to know.
So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:
a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal.
a fool or simpleton; ninny.
Collins
World English Dictionary
vigilance (ˈvɪdʒɪləns)
 
n
1.  the fact, quality, or condition of being vigilant
2.  the abnormal state or condition of being unable to sleep

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

vigilance
1560s, from Fr. vigilance, from L. vigilantia "wakefulness," from vigilia (see vigil).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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