vidette
[vi-det]
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vedette
or vi·dette
[vi-det]
- Also called vedette boat. a small naval launch used for scouting.
- a mounted sentry in advance of the outposts of an army.
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Origin of vedette
1680–90; < French < Italian vedetta outlook where a sentinel is posted, alteration of earlier veletta (of debated orig.) by association with vedere to see; see -ette
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for vidette
Historical Examples
To his mind the red squirrel was apt to serve in place of a vidette.
PathfinderAlan Douglas
We keep our vidette stationed during the night as in the day.
The Scalp HuntersMayne Reid
The vidette party, of whom I was one, moved westward across the prairie.
The Scalp HuntersMayne Reid
On reaching this point I caught view of the cliff where I expected to see the vidette.
The Scalp HuntersMayne Reid
Loud and angry was the summons of the French vidette, startled sorely.
With the Black PrinceWilliam Osborn Stoddard
vidette
- a variant spelling of vedette
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vedette
- Also called: vedette boat navy a small patrol vessel
- Also called: vidette military a mounted sentry posted forward of a formation's position
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Word Origin
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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for vidette
n.
1680s, from French vidette, from Italian (Florentine) vedetta "watch tower, peep hole," from vedere "to see" (see vista).
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vedette
n.
"mounted sentinel placed in advance of an outpost," 1680s, from French vedette, from Italian vedetta, probably from vedere "to see" (see vista).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper