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  • bis
    bis
    adverb
  • B.I.S.
    B.I.S.
    abbreviation
    Bank for International Settlements.
  • BIS
    BIS
    abbreviation
    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
Synonyms

bis

1 American  
[bis] / bɪs /

adverb

  1. twice.

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


bis 2 American  
[bis] / bɪs /

noun

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


B.I.S. 3 American  

abbreviation

  1. Bank for International Settlements.

  2. British Information Services.


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)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

bis 2 British  
/ bɪs /

adverb

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

  1. encore! again!

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of bis1

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

Origin of bis2

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin byssus byssus


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

“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, 55, is an Italian anarchist who has been on a hunger strike for more than 100 days to protest against being jailed under the strict "41 bis" isolation regime.

From Reuters ● Jan. 31, 2023

For him, there is only the Zarathustran heroism of clawing from null bis eins, of escaping the herdlike mentality of das Mann for the freedom of the Übermensch.

From New York Times ● Jul. 22, 2016

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

From The Guardian ● May 31, 2016

From each, says the slogan, according to her ability; to each according to bis needs.

From "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood

How could B.I.S. possibly put as much money behind the effort, and care as much about chips as China does?

From New York Times ● Jul. 12, 2023

In 1976, Mr. Lamfalussy, who had continued to teach, became an economist at the Bank for International Settlements, or B.I.S., a clearinghouse for central banks, in Basel, Switzerland.

From New York Times ● May 11, 2015

The E.C.B. has tightened its criteria for the collateral it accepts since the period covered by the B.I.S. statistics.

From New York Times ● Sep. 5, 2010

Last week, as moneymen from 50 countries gathered at the Bank for International Settlements in Basel, Switzerland, B.I.S.

From Time Magazine Archive

Last week the B.I.S. had a record 580 members, including such philosophical well-wishers as George Bernard Shaw.

From Time Magazine Archive

The BIS, a consortium for global central banks based in Switzerland, has raised the alarm early about crises in the past.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026

Tech companies are only the tip of a supply-chain iceberg, the BIS points out.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026

The yearly report from the BIS was published Sunday during the annual general meeting held at its headquarters in Basel, Switzerland.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 29, 2026

BIS notes that “sentiment has also been a major driver of valuations” and a “post-pandemic exuberance” has generated an air of complacency among investors.”

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 29, 2026

"BIS," said I, "take my seat; I'll take a trip to the French camp."

From Punchinello, Volume 2, No. 27, October 1, 1870 by Various

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