invigilate

verb

in·vig·i·late in-ˈvi-jə-ˌlāt

invigilated; invigilating

intransitive verb

: to keep watch

especially, British : to supervise students at an examination

transitive verb

: supervise, monitor

invigilation

in-ˌvi-jə-ˈlā-shən

noun

invigilator

in-ˈvi-jə-ˌlā-tər

noun

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Watch Out for the Origin of Invigilate

Invigilate is a descendant of the Latin verb vigilare, meaning "to stay awake." As you may have guessed, vigilare is the ancestor of our adjective vigilant ("alertly watchful"), and it also gives us reveille ("a signal to wake up in the morning," via French réveillez) and surveillance ("close watch, supervision," via French surveiller). Invigilate has been a member of the English language since the mid-16th century.

Examples of invigilate in a Sentence

He was asked to invigilate next week.

Word History

Etymology

Latin invigilatus, past participle of invigilare to stay awake, be watchful, from in- + vigilare to stay awake — more at vigilant

First Known Use

1553, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler

The first known use of invigilate was in 1553

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Invigilate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/invigilate. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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