Veillaient (en. Were watching)

/vɛ.jɛ/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

verb

Being in a state of wakefulness, keeping vigilant.

The parents watched over their children during the night.

Les parents veillaient sur leurs enfants pendant la nuit.

To monitor in order to ensure safety.

The guards watched over the castle to prevent any intrusion.

Les gardes veillaient sur le château pour éviter toute intrusion.

To endure a period of vigilance.

The doctors watched over the patients during the operation.

Les médecins veillaient sur les patients pendant l'opération.

From the verb 'veiller', from Latin 'vigilare', meaning 'to be awake, to watch over'.

watch over the grain

Watch carefully, remain vigilant to avoid problems.

veiller au grain

watch over someone

Take care of someone, protect them.

veiller sur quelqu'un

stay up late

Stay awake until late at night.

veiller tard

watch

The action of staying awake.

veille

vigilance

The state of a person who remains attentive and on guard.

vigilance

vigilant

The state of being attentive and ready to react.

vigilant

To stay awake due to a stressful situation.

I stayed awake all night because of that deadline.

J'ai veillé toute la nuit à cause de cette échéance.

To be attentive to what is happening around.

We have to stay vigilant; you never know what might happen.

Il faut veiller, on ne sait jamais ce qui peut arriver.