See Also: vandal(dictionary)
Vandal(encyclopedia)
vandal(dictionary)
vandal root(medicine)

vandal (iou)



vandal noun & adjective. In senses A.1, B.1 Vandal.
[Old English Wendlas pl., Old High German Wentil- in personal names (German Wandale), Old Norse Vendill, from Germanic. Reintroduced in 16 from Latin Vandalus, from Germanic.]
A. noun.
Hist. A member of a Germanic people who in the 4th and 5th cents. invaded parts of western Europe, esp. Gaul and Spain, and finally migrated to N. Africa, sacking Rome on a marauding expedition in 455. Usu. in pl. OE.
A person who acts like a barbarian; a wilful or ignorant destroyer of property, or of anything beautiful, venerable, or worthy of preservation. M17.
b. adjective.
Hist. Of or pertaining to the Vandals or a Vandal. E17.
Wilfully, ignorantly, or ruthlessly destructive, esp. of things of beauty or historic interest; barbarous, rude, uncultured. E18.
Characterized by vandalism or lack of culture; vandalistic. M18.
vandalish adjective (rare) vandalistic, vandalic M19.