vigilante etymology

Etymology

The word "vigilante" comes from the Italian word "vigilante," meaning "watchful." It is derived from the Latin word "vigilare," meaning "to keep awake."

Meaning

A vigilante is a person who takes the law into their own hands, typically by using violence or intimidation to enforce what they believe to be right. Vigilantes are not recognized as legal authorities and their actions are often considered to be illegal.

Origin

The concept of vigilantism has been around for centuries. In the early days of American history, vigilantes were often formed to protect communities from outlaws and criminals. However, over time, vigilantism has come to be associated with violence and extremism.

Modern-day Vigilantism

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of vigilantism in some parts of the United States. This is due in part to the rise of social media, which has made it easier for people to organize and share information about their perceived grievances.

Examples of Vigilantes

Some well-known examples of vigilantes include:

  • The Ku Klux Klan
  • The Minutemen
  • The Oath Keepers

Impact of Vigilantism

Vigilantism can have a number of negative consequences, including:

  • Violence and bloodshed
  • Intimidation and fear
  • Erosion of trust in law enforcement
  • Undermining the rule of law

vigilante relate terms

  • awake

    Etymology Old English awacian from Proto Germanic awakōną from Proto Indo European

  • bewitch

    Etymology Old English bewiccian Proto Germanic bawihijaną Meaning and Origin

  • bivouac

    Etymology French bivouac German biwak camp place of encampment Swiss German bivak

  • invigilate

    Etymology From Latin invigilare meaning to watch over stay awake in prefix mean

  • reveille

    Etymology French réveiller to awaken Latin re again vigilare to watch

  • surveillance

    Etymology Old French surveiller Latin super above over vigilare to watch ke

  • vedette

    Etymology French from Italian vedetta from Vulgar Latin vigilata feminine past parti

  • vegetable

    Etymology The word vegetable derives from the Old French word vegetable which in tur

  • velocity

    Etymology From Middle French vélocité from Latin vēlōcitās from vēlōx swift

  • vigil

    Etymology of Vigil The word vigil comes from the Latin word vigilia which means wat

  • vigilant

    Etymology The word vigilant originates from the Latin word vigilare meaning to be

  • vigilante

    Etymology The word vigilante comes from the Italian word vigilante meaning watchful

  • vigor

    Etymology Old French vigueur Latin vigor Proto Indo European weg to move strongl

  • waft

    Etymology Middle English wayfen wafen from Old English wafian to wave move to and fr

  • wait

    Etymology Old English wæht Proto Germanic wahti Proto Indo European weh t woh t

  • wake

    Etymology The word wake has Old English roots wæcce noun a nocturnal vigil

  • waken

    Etymology The word waken is derived from the Old English word wacian which means t

  • watch

    Etymology Old English wacian from Proto Germanic wakōjan meaning to be awake

  • Wicca

    Etymology The word Wicca is derived from the Old English word wicca meaning witch

  • wicked

    Etymology The word wicked is derived from the Old English word wicca which originall

  • witch

    Etymology The word witch comes from the Old English word wicce which meant female s

  • volunteer

    Etymology The word volunteer originally means to offer oneself It is derived from t

  • vigil

    Etymology of Vigil The word vigil comes from the Latin word vigilia which means wat

  • Munchkin

    Etymology The word munchkin is a blend of the following Munich German city kin d

  • catharsis

    Etymology Greek κάθαρσις katharsis meaning purification cleansing Me

  • notorious

    Etymology The word notorious is derived from the Latin phrase nota reus which means

  • agony

    Etymology Greek ἀγωνία agōnia Meaning Contest struggle painful distr

  • porcelain

    Etymology Old French porcelaine Italian porcellana Latin porcellus piglet Meanin

  • impression

    Etymology The word impression comes from the Latin word impressio which means a mar