bise

British  

/ biːz /

noun

1. a cold dry northerly wind in Switzerland and the neighbouring parts of France and Italy, usually in the spring

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Etymology

Origin of bise

C14: from Old French, of Germanic origin; compare Old Swedish bīsa whirlwind

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bise

“When I do my show I ask the audience by way of applause who’s done la bise since covid, the whole room applauds.”

From Reuters ● Sep. 28, 2021

But when the pandemic gripped the nation, it instilled a fear that the bise could pose a threat.

From Seattle Times ● Jul. 31, 2021

Another great equalizer is la bise, which, along with potential confusion, does confer a bit of warmth and good will.

From New York Times ● May 1, 2020

Deep into last spring’s campaign to elect Socialist President François Hollande, Valérie Trierweiler could still be seen greeting an old confrère with la bise, a two-cheek kiss, on the edge of a media scrum.

From Newsweek ● Sep. 17, 2012

Ne were neuere but ane hwile, A north wind arises, called the bise, and drives them to England.

From The Lay of Havelok the Dane by Unknown