vigilante  
  自警(じけい)(だん)(いん)

(1) Noun :

A member of a group organized to punish criminals outside the auspices of any government police entity. Vigilante groups are typically formed spontaneously in reaction to the perception that law enforcement is not doing enough to protect the citizens.


Examples

  • The police could not stop the vigilantes from taking the suspect and hanging him in the town square.  

Related Lessons