bis

¹

[bis]

adverb

1. twice.

2. again (used as an enthusiastic call for the repetition of a musical performance).

bis

²

[bis]

noun

1. a sheer, often embroidered linen, used in the manufacture of altar cloths.

B.I.S.

³

abbreviation

1. Bank for International Settlements.

2. British Information Services.

BIS

¹

abbreviation

1. Bank for International Settlements: an institution, based in Basel, Switzerland, that accepts deposits, makes loans for national central banks, and assists in offsetting speculative movements of funds between the major currencies; set up in 1930

2. Bosnia-Herzegovina (international car registration)

bis

²

/ bɪs /

adverb

1. twice; for a second time (used in musical scores to indicate a part to be repeated)

1. encore! again!

Word History and Origins

Origin of bis¹

1810–20; < Italian < Latin; OL duis twice

Origin of bis²

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin byssus byssus

Word History and Origins

Origin of bis¹

C19: via Italian from Latin, from Old Latin duis

Related Words

• anew 
• over 
• repeatedly