veillent

Veillent is the third-person plural present tense form of the French verb veiller, which means to watch, to stay awake, to keep vigil, or to look after. It is also the third-person plural present subjunctive form (que ils veillent, que elles veillent). The verb belongs to the first conjugation, being regular in its endings for tenses in the indicative and subjunctive.

Etymology and meaning. Veiller derives from Old French and ultimately from Latin vigilia, meaning watch or wakefulness. The core sense centers on maintaining alertness, supervising someone or something, or keeping vigil through a period of time, such as the night.

Usage. In ordinary present tense statements, veillent is used with a plural subject: Ils veillent tard—“They stay up late.” Elles veillent sur leurs enfants—“They watch over their children.” The phrase veiller sur expresses the idea of looking after or protecting someone. Veillent also appears in the present subjunctive after expressions that require the subjunctive: Il faut qu’ils veillent à la sécurité—“It is necessary that they ensure the safety.”

Comparison and related forms. Related forms include veille (noun meaning vigilance or vigil), veillant (present participle and adjective meaning vigilant or watching), and veilleur/veilleuse (a watchman or night watch). Veiller is common in both formal and informal French and appears in literature, journalism, and everyday speech.

Notes. Veillent is distinct from the noun veille, which denotes a vigil or awareness, and from imperative forms like veillons or veillez. The word retains a strong association with conscientious attention and guardianship across contexts.