• Vigilance

    Pronunciation

    • IPA: /ˈvɪdʒɪlÉ™ns/

    Full definition of vigilance

    Noun

    vigilance

    (usually uncountable; plural vigilances)
    1. Alert watchfulness.
      • 1898, Winston Churchill, The Celebrity Chapter 8, I corralled the judge, and we started off across the fields, in no very mild state of fear of that gentleman's wife, whose vigilance was seldom relaxed. And thus we came by a circuitous route to Mohair, the judge occupied by his own guilty thoughts, and I by others not less disturbing.
    2. Close and continuous attention.
      • 1837 March 4, Andrew Jackson, Farewell AddressBut you must remember, my fellow-citizens, that eternal vigilance by the people is the price of liberty, and that you must pay the price if you wish to secure the blessing.
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