vigilance committee

2 definitions found

vigilance committee - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Vigilance \Vig"i*lance\, n. [L. vigilantia: cf. F. vigilance.]
     1. The quality or state of being vigilant; forbearance of
        sleep; wakefulness.
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     2. Watchfulness in respect of danger; care; caution;
        circumspection. --Cowper.
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              And flaming ministers to watch and tend
              Their earthly charge; of these the vigilance
              I dread.                              --Milton.
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     3. Guard; watch. [Obs.] "In at this gate none pass the
        vigilance here placed." --Milton.
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     Vigilance committee, a volunteer committee of citizens for
        the oversight and protection of any interest, esp. one
        organized for the summary suppression and punishment of
        crime, as when the processes of law appear inadequate.
        [1913 Webster]

vigilance committee - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  vigilance committee
      n 1: a volunteer committee to maintain order where an efficient
           legal system does not exist