| n. | 1. | The quality or state of being vigilant; forbearance of sleep; wakefulness. | |||
| 2. | Watchfulness in respect of danger; care; caution; circumspection. | ||||
| 3. | Guard; watch.
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| Noun | 1. | vigilance - the process of paying close and continuous attention Synonyms: alertness, watchfulness |
| 2. | vigilance - vigilant attentiveness; "he keeps a weather eye open for trouble" Synonyms: weather eye, watchfulness |
VIGILANCE. Proper attention in proper time.
2. The law requires a man who has a claim to enforce it in proper time,
while the adverse party has it in his power to defend himself; and if by his
neglect to do so, he cannot afterwards establish such claim, the maxim
vigilantibus non dormientibus leges subserviunt, acquires full force in such
case. For example, a claim not sued for within the time required by the acts
of limitation, will be presumed to be paid; and the mere possession of
corporeal real property, as if in fee simple, and without admitting any
other ownership for sixty years, is a sufficient title against all the
world, and cannot be impeached by any dormant claim. See 3 Bl. Com. 196, n;
4 Co. 11 b. Vide Twenty years.