1 invigilate | Definition of invigilate
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invigilate

verb
in·​vig·​i·​late | \ in-ˈvi-jə-ˌlāt How to pronounce invigilate (audio) \
invigilated; invigilating

Definition of invigilate

intransitive verb

: to keep watch especially, British : to supervise students at an examination

transitive verb

: supervise, monitor
Other Words from invigilate Watch Out for the Origin of Invigilate Example Sentences Learn More about invigilate

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Other Words from invigilate

invigilation \ in-​ˌvi-​jə-​ˈlā-​shən How to pronounce invigilation (audio) \ noun
invigilator \ in-​ˈvi-​jə-​ˌlā-​tər How to pronounce invigilator (audio) \ noun

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 reveiller) and surveillance ("close watch, supervision," via French survéiller). Invigilate has been a part of the English language since the mid-16th century.

Examples of invigilate in a Sentence

He was asked to invigilate next week.

First Known Use of invigilate

1553, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

History and Etymology for invigilate

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

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More Definitions for invigilate

invigilate

verb
How to pronounce invigilate (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of invigilate

British : to watch students who are taking an examination

See the full definition for invigilate in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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