Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1800-1900
Language: Spanish
Origin: 'person who keeps watch, guard', from Latin vigilans; VIGILANT

vigilante

 noun
     
Related topics: Crime
vig‧i‧lan‧te [countable]
SCC someone who illegally punishes criminals and tries to prevent crime, usually because they think the police are not doing this effectively
—vigilantism noun [uncountable]
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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