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

Koufax created a vise between his middle finger and the knuckle on his ring finger.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s like having a big block of ice in a vise and you are just slowly cranking up the vise,” he said.

From Seattle Times

Doctors caught in this vise are in effect being told that they must allow a pregnant woman’s condition to deteriorate until she is near death before they can act.

From Los Angeles Times

“Our sanctions today continue to tighten the vise on willing third-country suppliers and networks providing Russia the inputs it desperately needs to ramp up and sustain its military-industrial base.”

From Seattle Times

To the moody strains of Sheik’s alt-rock score, the vise of adolescence is captured in a story about pubescent youths rebelling against the warping will of adult hypocrisy and repression.

From Los Angeles Times