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

There was a surprise result in the Grade Two Lismullen Hurdle when the 1-7 favourite Voler La Vedette, who was attempting to win the race for the second year running, failed to catch the front-running Whatuthink, a 25-1 outsider.

From The Guardian

“Je ne suis pas encore en grande vedette, tu sais.”

From Project Gutenberg

Big Buck's won by a length and three-quarters ahead of 20-1 shot Voler La Vedette, with Smad Place seven lengths back in third.

From Seattle Times

With Ruby Walsh on board, the 5-6 Paul Nicholls-trained favorite held off mare Voler La Vedette up the final hill to tie the run of 16 successive English hurdle wins set by all-time great Sir Ken in the 1950s.

From Seattle Times

Just then an orderly rode up and handed the Colonel a dispatch, which, when he had read, he sent the whole command back to camp except the company I was with; with that he said he would go out and capture a Yankee vedette.

From Project Gutenberg