Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun A person who is not a member of law enforcement but who pursues and punishes persons suspected of lawbreaking.
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun A member of a vigilance committee.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun A person who considers it their own responsibility to uphold the law in their neighbourhood.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun member of a vigilance committee
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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He had what you call a vigilante system, in the plant.
Oral History Interview with James Pharis, 1977 July 24. Interview H-38. Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007). By James Pharis James Pharis 1977
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He had what you call a vigilante system, in the plant.
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Along the way, the central story of a murder investigated by a masked vigilante is supported by parallel stories of an alternate 1985 where Nixon has remained president for four terms, the Soviet communists have remained in power, and the world stands only days away from nuclear war.
Archive 2009-02-01 Ulysses 2009
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While they determine what to do, the government tries to figure out how to handle the surge in vigilante justice and crime across the country.
Superhero Nation: how to write superhero novels and comic books » Fox’s Review Forum 2009
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Just as the vigilante is often wrong in the real world, so is authority, and while the notion that we control authority by the power of the vote is appealing and logical, it, too, is often mistaken.
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Besides, there will be plenty of jeezuz freaks from below the Mason-Dixon line there already, one more like you will just get lost among all the bible thumpin 'vigilante groups anyway ...
Texas Gov. Rick Perry pulled out of conservative straw poll 2009
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Along the way, the central story of a murder investigated by a masked vigilante is supported by parallel stories of an alternate 1985 where Nixon has remained president for four terms, the Soviet communists have remained in power, and the world stands only days away from nuclear war.
Book Report: Watchmen Ulysses 2009
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A senior judge has warned of a rise in vigilante crimes caused by slow police response times.
Blogs Are For Dogs (2) « POLICE INSPECTOR BLOG Inspector Gadget 2009
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Named for the Greek word kuklos, “circle,” the Klan at first seemed nothing more than an expression of vigilante discontent.
Louisa May Alcott Susan Cheever 2010
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The way Hall effortlessly shifts between warm, genial co-worker and cold, calculating vigilante is amazing.
Emmy Picks 2007: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama | the TV addict 2007
likeflannel commented on the word vigilante
where have they all gone?
November 1, 2009
bilby commented on the word vigilante
Captured by the French.
November 1, 2009