[a. F. vandalisme, first used by Henri Grégoire, Bishop of Blois, c. 1793.] The conduct or spirit characteristic of, or attributed to, the Vandals in respect of culture; ruthless destruction or spoiling of anything beautiful or venerable; in weakened sense, barbarous, ignorant or inartistic treatment.
1794. Northern Star, 11 Sept., 4/1. Attempts have been made to establish Vandalism [in France], and to stifle the liberty of the press.
1798. Helen M. Williams, Lett. France, IV. 179 (Jod.). Those barbarous triumphs are passed and anarchy and vandalism can return no more.
1800. W. Taylor, in Monthly Mag., VIII. 684. The writers, who bring against certain philosophic innovationists a clamorous charge of Vandalism.
1848. Gallenga, Italy, 497. After several hours of that unavailing Vandalism, which set houses and palaces on fire, they were compelled to beat a retreat.
a. 1878. Sir G. Scott, Lect. Archit. (1879), I. 35. Monuments, through the lapse of time and the barbarous hand of modern Vandalism, become in many cases … decayed and mutilated.
b. An instance of this; a vandalistic act.
1882. Sergt. Ballantine, Exper., xxii. 218. The vandalisms that have changed the fair scene … into its present shape.
