1917, from French (1907); see hyper- "over, exceedingly, to excess" + vigilance. Related: Hypervigilant.
Entries linking to hypervigilance
hyper-
word-forming element meaning "over, above, beyond," and often implying "exceedingly, to excess," from Greek hyper (prep. and adv.) "over, beyond, overmuch, above measure," from PIE root *uper "over."
vigilance n.
1560s, from French vigilance (16c.), from Latin vigilantia "wakefulness, watchfulness, attention," from vigil "watchful, awake" (from PIE root *weg- "to be strong, be lively"). Related: Vigilancy (1530s).