VAN-COURIER Van"-cou`ri*er, n. Etym: [F. avant-courrier.See Avant, Van of an army, and Courier, and cf. Avant-courier, Vaunt-courier.]
Defn: One sent in advance; an avant-courier; a precursor.
VANDAL Van"dal, n. Etym: [L. Vandalus, Vandalius; of Teutonic origin, and probably originally signifying, a wanderer. Cf. Wander.]
1. (Anc. Hist.)
Defn: 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.
VANDAL; VANDALIC
Van"dal, Van*dal"ic, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Vandals; resembling the Vandals in barbarism and destructiveness.
VANDALISM
Van"dal*ism, n.
Defn: The spirit or conduct of the Vandals; ferocious cruelty; hostility to the arts and literature, or willful destruction or defacement of their monuments.