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vigilante
[ vij-uh-lan-tee ]
/ ˌvɪdʒ əˈlæn ti /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
noun
a member of a vigilance committee.
any person who takes the law into his or her own hands, as by avenging a crime.
adjective
done violently and summarily, without recourse to lawful procedures: vigilante justice.
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Origin of vigilante
1825–35, Americanism;<Spanish: vigilant
OTHER WORDS FROM vigilante
vig·i·lan·te·ism, vig·i·lan·tism [vij-uh-lan-tiz-uhm, vij-uh-luhn-tiz-uhm], /ˌvɪdʒ əˈlæn tɪz əm, ˈvɪdʒ ə lənˌtɪz əm/, nounWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH vigilante
vigilant, vigilanteWords nearby vigilante
vigil, vigilambulism, vigilance, vigilance committee, vigilant, vigilante, vigilantism, Vigilius, vigil light, Vigil Mass, vigintillion
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use vigilante in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for vigilante
vigilante
/ (ˌvɪdʒɪˈlæntɪ) /
noun
one of an organized group of citizens who take upon themselves the protection of their district, properties, etc
Also called: vigilance man US a member of a vigilance committee
Word Origin for vigilante
C19: from Spanish, from Latin vigilāre to keep watch
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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