veiller

The French verb "veiller" primarily means "to stay awake" or "to keep watch." It is used when someone stays awake deliberately, often to watch over someone or something, or to remain alert during the night.

Meanings and uses:

1. To stay awake, to be awake:

   • Example: Je dois veiller toute la nuit. (I have to stay awake all night.)

2. To watch over, to keep vigil:

   • Often used in contexts where someone watches over someone who is ill, keeps guard, or attends a wake or vigil (funeral context).
   • Example: Elle veille son enfant malade. (She is watching over her sick child.)
   • Example: Ils ont veillé près du défunt jusqu'au matin. (They kept vigil by the deceased until morning.)

3. Figurative: to take care of or look after:

   • Example: Veiller à la sécurité. (To ensure/take care of security.)

Synonyms and differences:

• Rester éveillé:
  Means "to remain awake," focusing strictly on the state of being awake, without the connotation of actively watching or taking care.

• Surveiller:
  Means "to watch, monitor, supervise." Stronger focus on actively observing, possibly controlling.

• S’occuper de:
  Means "to take care of," which can overlap when "veiller" means looking after someone or something, but is more general.

In summary, "veiller" is about staying awake with the purpose of watching, guarding, or caring for something or someone, often during nighttime or in contexts requiring vigilance.