viva voce

[ vahy-vuh voh-see, vee-vuh ]

adverb

1. by word of mouth; orally.

noun

1. Also (in British and European universities) the oral part of an examination.

viva voce

/ ˈvaɪvə ˈvəʊtʃɪ /

adverb

1. by word of mouth

noun

1. the full form of viva 2

Other Words From

• viva-voce adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of viva voce¹

First recorded in 1555–65; from Medieval Latin vīvā vōce “with living voice,” Latin, ablative of vīva vōx

Word History and Origins

Origin of viva voce¹

C16: from Medieval Latin, literally: with living voice

Example Sentences

Viva Voce, a film by Keith Piper, has been installed next to Rex Whistler's painting, which includes depictions of black slaves on a leash and caricatures of Chinese figures.

From BBC

Per the viva voce system, a practice with roots in Ancient Greece, eligible voters would call out the names of their preferred candidates to a government clerk, who registered votes in a pollbook.

From The New Yorker

In his last Facebook post, Krishnan referred to this new rule: “There is no equality in MPhil/PhD admission, there is no equality in viva voce – there is only denial of equality.”

From The Guardian

He wrote that students from marginalized groups, including Dalits and lower castes, faced discrimination in admissions to master’s and doctorate programs and in the oral exams, known as “viva voce,” that determine final grades.

From Los Angeles Times

In the 19th-century viva voce system, people went to local polling places and swore an oath that they were voting in good faith.

From Slate