vedette

American  

[vi-det] / vɪˈdɛt /

Or vidette

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.

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vedette British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of vedette

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

Example Sentences

So why should we be surprised when Macras gives us a late-evening history lesson about Nélida Roca, the Argentine “vedette,” or showgirl, who held Buenos Aires enthralled from the 1950s to the 1970s.

From New York Times

The movie loses its thread and interest midway through after Vedette loses a fight.

From New York Times

Vedette is a nice cow; she deserves more consideration than she receives.

From New York Times

The possibility that Vedette’s calves were turned into veal chops might be a bummer for some viewers, but it would provide a true picture of life for most dairy cows.

From New York Times

As they do throughout, the owners speak about Vedette’s feelings — how it affects “her morale” — anthropomorphizing that Bories doesn’t question and repeatedly echoes.

From New York Times