Meaning

noun a periodic state during which you are conscious and aware of the world

noun a temporary state in which you are unable (or unwilling) to sleep

noun the process of paying close and continuous attention

originEtymology tree English wakeful Proto-Germanic *-inōną Proto-Indo-European *-dyé- Proto-Germanic *-atjaną Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Germanic *-þuz Proto-Germanic *-assuz Proto-Germanic *-inassuz Proto-West Germanic *-nassī Old English -nes Middle English -nesse English -ness English wakefulness From wakeful + -ness.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 3.0