vedette

Or vi·dette

[vi-det]

noun

History/Historical.

1. Also called vedette boat. a small naval launch used for scouting.

2. a mounted sentry in advance of the outposts of an army.

vedette

/ vɪˈdɛt /

noun

1. Also called: vedette boat. navy a small patrol vessel

2. Also called: vidette. military a mounted sentry posted forward of a formation's position

Word History and Origins

Origin of vedette¹

First recorded in 1680–90; from French, from Italian vedetta “outlook where a sentinel is posted,” alteration of earlier veletta (of debated origin) by association with vedere “to see”; -ette

Word History and Origins

Origin of vedette¹

C17: from French, from Italian vedetta (influenced by vedere to see), from earlier veletta, perhaps from Spanish vela watch, from velar to keep vigil, from Latin vigilāre