Vigilantism
/ˌvɪdʒɪˈlæntɪzəm/noun
The practice of taking the law into one’s own hands without legal authority.
Did you know?Vigilante originally came from Spanish *vigilante*, meaning “watchful” or “guard,” from Latin *vigilans*—so the word’s roots are about staying awake, not about masked revenge.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wegʰ-
“to be strong, be lively, be awake”
Latin
Latin
vigil
“awake, alert, watchful”
Latin
Latin
vigilāre
“to stay awake, keep watch”
Spanish
Spanish
vigilante
“watchful; a guard or sentry”
19th Century
English
vigilante
“a self-appointed watchman or law-enforcer”
19th Century
English
vigilantism
“the practice or policy of self-appointed law enforcement”
Modern English
English
vigilantism
“the practice of taking the law into one’s own hands”