pernoctation

noun pernoctations

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