Main Entry: vig·i·lan·te Pronunciation: "vi-j&-'lan-tE Function: noun Etymology: Spanish, watchman, guard, from vigilante vigilant, from Latin vigilant-, vigilans Date: 1865 : a member of a volunteer committee organized to suppress and punish crime summarily (as when the processes of law appear inadequate); broadly : a self-appointed doer of justice - vig·i·lan·tism /-'lan-"ti-z&m/ noun
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