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”; see -ette

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

vedette

My goal was Desolation Peak, the cabin where rookie vedette Jack Kerouac spent 63 eventful days in the summer of 1956.

From The Guardian ● Feb. 16, 2021

When the vedette was “discovered” by the “Esta Noche Cruzamos el Mississippi” late-night show in 1996, she introduced trans culture to living rooms across Spain.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 19, 2020

Little groups of people moved across the lime-shaded Square, all in one direction, seeking the Porches and the Lainerie, leaving themselves comfortable time for the vedette.

From The Tower of Oblivion by Oliver [pseud.] Onions

We accordingly begged him to do as he proposed; and bidding us not to be anxious about him, he rode off in the direction from which the vedette had come.

From The Young Llanero A Story of War and Wild Life in Venezuela by William Henry Giles Kingston

Chuckling at his coarse jest, the vedette once more resumed his seat upon the rock; and, folding his frezada around him, relapsed into silence.

From The Finger of Fate A Romance by Mayne Reid

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