vise

¹

or vice

[ vahys ]

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)

, vised, vis·ing.

1. to hold, press, or squeeze with or as with a vise.

visé

²

[ vee-zey, vee-zey ]

noun

, vi·séed, vi·sé·ing.

1. visa.

vise

/ vaɪs /

noun

1. a variant spelling of vice 2

Other Words From

• viselike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vise¹

1300–50; Middle English vis < Old French: screw < Latin vītis vine (whose spiral form gave later sense)

Origin of vise²

< French, past participle of viser to inspect, check; visa

Example Sentences

The pandemic, which significantly scaled back ticket and concessions revenue, only tightened the vise.

From Washington Post

The only mother who couldn’t pretend to function with her brain in the vise of sleeplessness.

From Washington Post

Rather than a single cause for their dying out, it’s looking as if Neanderthals were caught in a many-angled vise.

From Time

Her cold, thin fingers wrapped around my jaw like a Vise-Grip.

From The Daily Beast

Their world is changing—has already changed, really—in the vise of the economy and new technology.

From The Daily Beast

He flung himself forward, and catching her upper arms in the grip of a vise shook her until her teeth clacked together.

From Project Gutenberg

I grabbed hold of the vise-locking screw to keep my knees from doubling under me.

From Project Gutenberg

There is a sharp sting in my tongue, my jaws are gripped as by a vise, and my mouth is torn open.

From Project Gutenberg

He strove desperately, but each effort only wedged him more firmly in the awful vise.

From Project Gutenberg

A serviceable and inexpensive bench vise can be made in the following manner: Procure a piece of hard wood, 1 in.

From Project Gutenberg