viva voce

[vahy-vuh voh-see, vee-vuh]

adverb

1. by word of mouth; orally.

noun

1. Also (in British and European universities) the oral part of an examination.

viva voce

/ ˈvaɪvə ˈvəʊtʃɪ /

adverb

1. by word of mouth

noun

1. the full form of viva 2

Other Word Forms

• viva-voce adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of viva voce¹

First recorded in 1555–65; from Medieval Latin vīvā vōce “with living voice,” Latin, ablative of vīva vōx

Word History and Origins

Origin of viva voce¹

C16: from Medieval Latin, literally: with living voice

Related Words

• articulate 
• choral 
• operatic 
• verbal