bis

¹ American  

[bis] / bɪs /

adverb

1. twice.

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

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bis ² American  

[bis] / bɪs /

noun

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

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B.I.S. ³ American  

abbreviation

1. Bank for International Settlements.

2. British Information Services.

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BIS ¹ British  

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)

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bis ² British  

/ bɪs /

adverb

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

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1. encore! again!

Etymology

Origin of bis¹

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

Origin of bis²

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin byssus byssus

Example Sentences

“This lexicon gives a humorous and precise overview of the most important words and phrases of politically correct newspeak,” the back cover of Klaus Rainer Röhl’s Politisch Korrekt von A bis Z from 1995 promises.

From Slate • Jan. 5, 2025

Cospito is jailed under a strict isolation regime, known in Italy as 41 bis, and normally reserved for Mafia members.

From Reuters • Dec. 8, 2022

Au Passage, 1 bis passage Saint Sébastien, 11th; 011-33-1-43-55-07-52.

From New York Times • Sep. 28, 2011

Manager of Recruitment Recruitment - Healthcare Ma… bis recruit. hampstead london. 35-36000.

From The Guardian • Apr. 3, 2010

Some would fly out every time be opened bis mouth, he had said, but they never stung unless Hugh wanted them to.

From "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs

Related Words

• anew
• over
• repeatedly