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

Messina Denaro, who had expensive tastes in clothes and cars, will be subject to the "41 bis" rules, a strict isolation regime designed to try to prevent suspects from running criminal groups from behind bars.

From Reuters • Jan. 18, 2023

The outside of the house, at 5 bis Rue de Verneuil in Paris, is another story.

From New York Times • Jul. 25, 2016

So, there was no bis, as the Italians call it, no repeat.

From The Guardian • May 31, 2016

Arthur had been warned about this by Merlyn—who was now safely locked 19 in bis cave by the fickle Nimue—and he had been fearing it subconsciously.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

Related Words

• anew
• over
• repeatedly