vandal

Where does the word "vandal" come from? It comes from Latin Vandali, and was adopted directly into English (1660s).

Vandal’s story begins in Latin: Vandali meant “a member of the Vandal tribe.” A Germanic tribe whose sack of Rome in 455 became associated with wanton destruction. It reached English by 1660s as vandal. Broadened from the historical tribe to anyone who deliberately destroys property. Today, vandal means a person who deliberately destroys or damages property.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient Vandali "a member of the Vandal tribe", a Germanic tribe whose sack of Rome in 455 became associated with wanton destruction.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1660s vandal "a person who deliberately destroys property", broadened from the historical tribe to anyone who deliberately destroys property.