Definition of vis-a-vis
Etymology
From French vis-à-vis (“face-to-face”).
Pronunciation
Preposition
vis-à-vis
- In relation to; compared with;
Canada's role vis-a-vis the United States' in Afghanistan
- Opposite, across from, set so as to be facing.
He was seated vis-a-vis the president.
Noun
vis-a-vis (plural vis-a-vis)
- (historical) A small horse-drawn carriage for two people sitting facing each other.
* 1761, Laurence Sterne, The Life & Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman, vol. 3, Penguin 2003, p. 188:
there is not a greater difference between a single-horse chair and madam Pompadour's vis a vis, than betwixt a single amour, and an amour thus nobly doubled
- One of two (or more) people facing or opposite each other during a formal dance, at a dinner table etc.
* 1888, Rudyard Kipling, ‘The Daughter of the Regiment', Plain Tales from the Hills, Folio Society 2005, p. 136:
That was what Miss McKenna said, and the Sergeant who was my vis-a-vis looked the same thing.
- A date or escort in a social event.
Have you seen Mary's vis-a-vis before?
- A person holding a corresponding position in another organisation; a counterpart.
I talked with my vis-a-vis in the French embassy.
Adjective
vis-a-vis (not comparable)
- face-to-face
- in relation to
- (numismatics, of a coin) having two portraits facing each other
Adverb
vis-a-vis
- face to face (with another)
- (archaic) In a position facing a specified or implied subject.
References:
- Wiktionary. Published under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
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Translation of vis-a-vis in Malay
Vis-a-vis
Noun
- Vis-a-vis
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