VIGILANCE

watchfulness, vigilance, weather eye

(noun) vigilant attentiveness; “he keeps a weather eye open for trouble”

watchfulness, wakefulness, vigilance, alertness

(noun) the process of paying close and continuous attention; “wakefulness, watchfulness, and bellicosity make a good hunter”; “vigilance is especially susceptible to fatigue”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

vigilance (usually uncountable, plural vigilances)

Alert watchfulness.

Close and continuous attention.

(obsolete) A guard; a person set to watch.

Source: Wiktionary

Vig"i*lance, n. Etym: [L. vigilantia: cf. F. vigilance.]

1. The quality or state of being vigilant; forbearance of sleep; wakefulness.

2. Watchfulness in respect of danger; care; caution; circumspection. Cowper. And flaming ministers to watch and tend Their earthly charge; of these the vigilance I dread. Milton.

3. Guard; watch. [Obs.] "In at this gate none pass the vigilance here placed." Milton. Vigilance committee, a volunteer committee of citizens for the oversight and protection of any interest, esp. one organized for the summary suppression and punishment of crime, as when the processes of law appear inadequate.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition