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vise

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vise

[vahys] noun, verb, vised, vis⋅ing.
–noun
1. any of various devices, usually having two jaws that may be brought together or separated by means of a screw, lever, or the like, used to hold an object firmly while work is being done on it.
–verb (used with object)
2. to hold, press, or squeeze with or as with a vise.
Also, vice.


Origin:
1300–50; ME vis < OF: screw < L vītis vine (whose spiral form gave later sense)


viselike, adjective

vi⋅sé

[vee-zey, vee-zey]
–noun, verb (used with object), vi⋅séed, vi⋅sé⋅ing.
visa.

Origin:
< F, ptp. of viser to inspect, check; see visa

vi⋅sa

[vee-zuh] noun, plural -sas, verb, -saed, -sa⋅ing.
–noun
1. an endorsement made by an authorized representative of one country upon a passport issued by another, permitting the passport holder entry into or transit through the country making the endorsement.
–verb (used with object)
2. to give a visa to; approve a visa for.
3. to put a visa on (a passport).
Also, visé.


Origin:
1825–35; < F, short for L carta vīsa the document (has been) examined; vīsa, ptp. fem. of vīsere to look into, see to, freq. of vidēre to see
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To vise
vise also vice   (vīs)   
n.  A clamping device, usually consisting of two jaws closed or opened by a screw or lever, used in carpentry or metalworking to hold a piece in position.
tr.v.   vised also viced, vis·ing also vic·ing, vis·es also vic·es
To hold or compress in or as if in a vise.

[Middle English vis, screwlike device, from Old French, screw, from Latin vītis, vine (from its spiral wrappings); see wei- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

visa 
1831, "official signature or endorsement on a passport," from Fr. visa, from Mod.L. charta visa "verified paper," lit. "paper that has been seen," from fem. pp. of L. videre "to see" (see vision). Earlier visé (1810), from Fr. pp. of viser "to examine, view."

vise 
c.1300, "device like a screw or winch for bending a crossbow or catapult," from O.Fr. vis, viz "screw," from L. vitis "vine, tendril of a vine," lit. "that which winds," from base of viere "to bind, twist" (see withy). The meaning "clamping tool with two jaws closed by a screw" is first recorded 1500.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: vi·sa
Pronunciation: 'vE-z&, -s&
Function: noun
: an endorsement made on a passport by the proper authorities denoting that it has been examined and that the bearer may proceed
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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