qui vive

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Definitions (6)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (2)

  1. noun A sentinel's challenge.
  2. idiom on the qui vive On the alert; vigilant: "a loathsome Dublin politico who is on the qui vive for . . . terrorists” (Julian Moynahan).

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Etymologies (2)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. French, (long) live who? (a sentry's challenge to determine a person's political sympathies) : qui, who + vive, third person sing. present subjunctive of vivre, to live.

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (1)

  1. French, literally who lives? i. e. who goes there? as a noun in the phrase étre sur le qui vive, be on the alert: qui (from Latin qui), who; vive, 3d person singular present subjunctive of vivre, from Latin vivere, live: see vivid.
 

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/ki viv/
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