See Also: graben(dictionary)

vis-a-vis (iou) and graben (iou)


vis-a-vis (iou)



vis-a-vis noun, preposition, & adverb. [vi:z¨»:'vi:] M18.
[Old & mod. French, lit. 'face to face', from Old French vis VISAGE + a to + vis.]
A. noun. Pl. same.
A light horse-drawn carriage for two people sitting face to face. obsolete exc. Hist. M18.
A person or thing facing or situated opposite to another, esp. in certain dances. M18.
b. A counterpart, an opposite number. Also (US), a social partner. E20.
J. K. Jerome The Vosges peasant has not the..air of contented prosperity that spoils his vis-a-vis across the Rhine.
A face-to-face meeting. M19.
S. W. Baker My first vis-a-vis with a hippo.
b. preposition. Regarding, in relation to. Also, opposite to, face to face with. M18.
Dance Theatre Journal Groups need to..make their own policy decisions vis-a-vis experimentation. L. Hudson He wants to sustain an impression vis-a-vis his audience.
C. adverb. Opposite; facing one another. E19.
Sir W. Scott Waverley..found himself in the desired vehicle, vis-a-vis to Mrs Nosebag. R. Firbank He would raise a cold, hypnotic eye..towards the ladies vis-a-vis.

graben (iou)



graben noun. Pl. -s, same. L19.
[German, orig. = ditch.]
Geology. A depression in the earth's surface between faults, a rift valley.