How British is the word 'invigilate'?

[Torsten]

Hi,

How British is the verb 'invigilate'? I mean, how often do you use or come across the word?

Thanks,
Torsten
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Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[Mister Micawber]

It is a standard American word, appearing in university settings.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Alan]

Hi Torsten,

To me most commonly used to describe acting as an observer for exams in any institution. Probably one of the most boring duties you can imagine, as I know from long experience!

Alan
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English as a Second Language
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[Mister Micawber]

Unless you can carry a ruler on the job.
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[Milanya]

[Mister Micawber]

OK, then, it's a standard MM word, and I speak AmE.
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[Esl_Expert]

Hello everyone,

The words "invigilate" and "invigilator" are not commonly used in the US. In fact, I cannot recall ever having heard anyone use either of those words on this side of the pond. The word people tend to use here is "proctor" -- both as a noun and as a verb. In my opinion, the Cambridge Dictionary provides pretty darn accurate information about this:
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=41859&dict=CALD

Here is the Merriam-Webster Dictionary entry for "proctor":
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proctor

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"As in all examinations settings, all students are expected to comply fully with all examination procedures, and all students are expected to comply fully with all instructions from the examination proctors." ~ University of Southern California

[Mister Micawber]

'Proctor' sounds vaguely uncomfortable to me. I suppose that I associate it with 'proctology'.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Esl_Expert]

.
I would guess that there may well be some proctors who exhibit anal personality traits. :wink:

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