English

Etymology

From vedette.

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɛt

Noun

1. A sentinel, usually on horseback, stationed on the outpost of an army, to watch an enemy and give notice of danger; a vidette.

French

Etymology

From vedetta.

Pronunciation

Noun

fr-noun f

1. a star (like a rockstar)

   Les plus grandes vedettes étaient présentes lors de cet évènement.

2. flagship

Italian

Noun

vedette

1. Plural of vedetta
2. star (actress)

The French military term vedette (formed from Latin videre, to see), migrated into English and other languages to refer to a mounted sentry or outpost, who has the function of bringing information, giving signals or warnings of danger, etc, to a main body of troops. In modern terms, the soldiers who man listening-posts are the equivalent of vedettes.

All around Salisbury Plain in southern England, the roads connecting the plain with the surrounding countryside feature a brick-built guard-post, manned by security officers whenever there is military activity beyond that point. They are known as vedettes, each being named for a local geographic feature.

Navies use the term vedette to refer to a small scouting boat.

In the entertainment industry, vedette refers to a star performer of stage or screen.

Kenneth J Alford (F.J. RIcketts) composer of the Colonel Bogey March in 1912 wrote a march entitled The Vedette.

The first aircraft designed to Canadian specifications was named Vedette.

References