vigilante
/ˌvɪdʒ.ɪˈlæn.ti/
Definition
A person who takes law enforcement or the administration of justice into their own hands without legal authority.
Etymology
Derived from the Spanish word 'vigilante,' meaning 'watchman' or 'guard,' which traces back to the Latin 'vigilare,' meaning 'to stay awake' or 'keep watch.' It entered English in the mid-19th century to describe members of self-appointed committees formed to punish crimes.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe Batman as a 'justice-seeking' figure, comparing him to the protagonist Odysseus to highlight the morally complex nature of both characters. It helps frame the hero as someone who operates outside traditional systems to pursue his own sense of right and wrong.
'Full of magic and humanity': Five things you need to know about The Odyssey
Read the full article ↗BBC