Avengers

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A coalition of people aiming to seek vengeance for past grievances
2. Individuals who act to punish or retaliate against those who have caused harm
3. Persons motivated to take action in retribution for offenses or injuries suffered

Etymology: "Avengers" is simply the plural of "avenger," a person who takes revenge. The singular came into English in Middle English as "avengere," built from "avenge" with the agent suffix "-er," the same ending found in words like "baker" or "singer" that names the one who performs an action. The verb "avenge" itself traces back to Old French "avengier," which carries the sense of taking revenge on someone's behalf or vindicating a wrong. Its deeper roots lie in Latin, where the idea of clearing a wrong was tied to the notion of punishing or vindicating. Over time, English speakers used the verb and its agent noun to describe someone who punishes wrongdoing on another's behalf, a sense that sits at the heart of the plural form too.

Synonyms: revengers, retributioners