vivandière

[vee-vahn-dyair; French vee-vahn-dyer]

noun

a woman who formerly followed an army or maintained a store on an army post to sell provisions to the soldiers.

Nearby words

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for vivandiere

The heroine of this story is a Virginia girl, who escapes to the North by joining a Union regiment as a vivandiere.
Brother Against Brother|Oliver Optic
"The 22d may indeed be proud of their vivandiere," said De Barre, gallantly.
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol. 3, No. 15, August, 1851|Various
It was through him that she had become a vivandiere; and she offered me a similar position, if I wished it.
Other People's Money|Emile Gaboriau
Still he was fairly handsome enough not to have muttered so heavy an oath as he did at the vivandiere's jest.
Under Two Flags|Ouida [Louise de la Ramee]

Leaning on Gombert's arm, Barbara now moved on more cheerfully until they were stopped by the vivandiere's counter.
Barbara Blomberg, Complete|Georg Ebers

British Dictionary definitions for vivandiere

vivandière

noun

(formerly) a female sutler or victualler offering extra provisions and spirits to soldiers, esp those of the French and British armies

Word Origin for vivandière

C16: see viand

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012