Vandalized

/ˈvændəˌlaɪzd/ verb

Definition

To deliberately destroy or damage someone else's property in a reckless or malicious way.

Etymology

From 'Vandal,' a Germanic tribe that sacked Rome in 455 AD. The word 'vandalism' emerged in the 1700s, and 'vandalized' is its past tense, attributing destructive behavior to these historical invaders.

Kelly Says

It's kind of unfair that the Vandals got stuck with this name forever—they were actually sophisticated warriors with a complex society, but one historical event defined their entire legacy for 1,600 years.

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