black-a-vised

American  

[blak-uh-vahyst, -vahyzd] / ˈblæk əˌvaɪst, -ˌvaɪzd /

Also black-a-viced

adjective

1. having a dark complexion.

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Etymology

Origin of black-a-vised

1750–60; Scots blackaviced, equivalent to black a vice (one) black of face ( black + a ³ + obsolete vice < Middle French vis; visage ) + -ed ³

Example Sentences

Tall, lean, black-a-vised, muscular, Robert Graves looks younger than his 38 years.

From Time Magazine Archive

The boys called it "The Haunted House," and peopled it with ghosts; gorgeous bucks of the Regency, languishing beauties such as Lawrence painted, fiery politicians, duellists, mysterious black-a-vised foreigners.

From The Hill A Romance of Friendship by Vachell, Horace Annesley

There was a carrier’s cart ready to start, and a keen,  thin, impatient, black-a-vised little man, his hand at his gray horse’s head, looking about angrily for something.

From Spare Hours by Brown, John

Then you might see two score of black-a-vised Blairs and McKerrows from Garliestown and the two Luces.

From Patsy by Crockett, S. R. (Samuel Rutherford)

The French skipper too was at the wheel: a dapper little personage, black-a-vised, with fierce moustachios and eye-tufts.

From The Gentleman A Romance of the Sea by Ollivant, Alfred