Vigilante
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ˌvɪd͡ʒ.ɪˈlæn.ti/ · Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: Vigilante is a noun meaning A member of a vigilance committee. [from 19th c.].
Meaning
A member of a vigilance committee. [from 19th c.].
More Meanings
- A person who acts outside of legal authority, often violently, to punish or avenge a crime, right a perceived wrong, etc.
Example Sentences
Jeptha Billingsley, who was no prize pig himself (he had been arrested for horse theft and assault with intent to murder), was to be taught a lesson, and the vigilantes made him cut down the McLemores.
For example, a voice accusing a man of being a paedophile might be based on recent TV news programmes about antipaedophile vigilante groups, plus the memory of having been accused of being a pervert by a neighbour, plus fears that he might be a secret paedophile because he enjoyed reading Lolita.
Word Forms
- vigilantes
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include mercenary, monitoring, surveillance, monitor, self-defence, self-defense.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
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