vivandière

[ vee-vahn-dyair; French vee-vahn-dyer ]

noun

1. a woman who formerly followed an army or maintained a store on an army post to sell provisions to the soldiers.

vivandière

/ vivɑ̃djɛr /

noun

1. (formerly) a female sutler or victualler offering extra provisions and spirits to soldiers, esp those of the French and British armies

Word History and Origins

Origin of vivandière¹

First recorded in 1845–50; from French vivandière, feminine of vivandier, from Italian (masculine) vivandiere “sutler”; viand ( def ), -ier ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of vivandière¹

C16: see viand

Example Sentences

The heroine of this story is a Virginia girl, who escapes to the North by joining a Union regiment as a vivandiere.

From Project Gutenberg

It was through him that she had become a vivandiere; and she offered me a similar position, if I wished it.

From Project Gutenberg

Leaning on Gombert's arm, Barbara now moved on more cheerfully until they were stopped by the vivandiere's counter.

From Project Gutenberg

Still he was fairly handsome enough not to have muttered so heavy an oath as he did at the vivandiere's jest.

From Project Gutenberg

He bowed to her with the old grace of manner that had so amused and amazed the little vivandiere.

From Project Gutenberg