Definition of vigilante

competent Definition: (adjective) having the skill and knowledge needed for a particular task; capable Petersons.com

Add Word of the Day to your personalized My Yahoo! page: About My Yahoo! and RSS »

Email this page to a friend

< 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.

---

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)

Visit our partner's site

	Provided by Houghton Mifflin eReference -- Download this interactive reference software to your desktop computer

Search Dictionary:

More on Yahoo! Education

• Online and On-Campus Degree Programs     MBAs  -  Technology Management  -  Education  -  Health  -  More  • College & Grad School - A Comprehensive Guide     College Search  -  Test Prep  -  Application Tips  -  Scholarship Search