Definition of vigilante

< vigilant

vigil light >

vig·i·lan·te    (vj-lnt) KEY 

NOUN:

1. One who takes or advocates the taking of law enforcement into one's own hands.
2. A member of a vigilance committee.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Spanish, watchman, vigilante, from Latin vigilns, vigilant- present participle of vigilre, to be watchful, from vigil, watchful; see weg- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
vigi·lantism  (-lntz-m) KEY  or vigi·lante·ism  (-t-zm) KEY (Noun)