Meaning

(uncountable) The action of abiding through the night at a location; (countable) an instance of this; an overnight stay..

Definitions by Sense

1. (uncountable) The action of abiding through the night at a location; (countable) an instance of this; an overnight stay.
2. (uncountable) The action of walking about at night, especially as a vigil or watch; (countable) an instance of this.
3. (countable, religion, chiefly Christianity, obsolete) A religious watch kept during normal sleeping hours, during which prayers or other ceremonies are performed; a vigil.

Example Sentences

The next morning they [Mary and Joseph] return back with ſpeed toward Jeruſalem; and at night repairing to their former lodging, neither there it ſeems heard they any thing of him [Jesus] (which argues, for this time of his abſence his pernoctation in the Temple), and ſo they muſt paſs this ſecond night alſo in great deſolation.

For the purposes of this clause, residing in Oxford shall mean the occupation of a dwelling-house or lodging in Oxford with pernoctation, and residing in College shall mean the occupation of rooms in College, or of a house in immediate communication with the College, with pernoctation.

In 1599 Sʳ Robert Leech and Sʳ John Meades were guilty of pernoctation and breaking windows. They had been sent to prison by the Proctor.

[I]n general the veſpers begin a little before ſunſet; the matins at four o'clock in the morning, and the liturgy or communion about nine; and when the vigil, or pernoctation, is performed, that ſervice begins after ſunſet; and there is no ſervice, in the morning following, till the communion.

Word Forms

• pernoctations

Related Words

When Should You Use Pernoctation?

Use pernoctation when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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