vandal Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun someone who willfully destroys or defaces property
  2. noun a member of the Germanic people who overran Gaul and Spain and North Africa and sacked Rome in 455

WordNet

Van"dal noun
Etymology
L. Vandalus, Vandalius; of Teutonic origin, and probably originally signifying, a wanderer. Cf. Wander.
Definitions
  1. (Anc. Hist.) One of a Teutonic race, formerly dwelling on the south shore of the Baltic, the most barbarous and fierce of the northern nations that plundered Rome in the 5th century, notorious for destroying the monuments of art and literature.
  2. Hence, one who willfully destroys or defaces any work of art or literature.
    The Vandals of our isle, Sworn foes to sense and law. Cowper.
Van"dal, Van*dal"ic adjective (Also<
  • Vandal
  • Vandalic
)
Definitions
  1. Of or pertaining to the Vandals; resembling the Vandals in barbarism and destructiveness.

Webster 1913