vivandière

[ vee-vahn-dyair; French vee-vahn-dyer ]

noun

1. a woman who formerly followed an army or maintained a store on an army post to sell provisions to the soldiers.

vivandière

/ vivɑ̃djɛr /

noun

1. (formerly) a female sutler or victualler offering extra provisions and spirits to soldiers, esp those of the French and British armies

Word History and Origins

Origin of vivandière¹

First recorded in 1845–50; from French vivandière, feminine of vivandier, from Italian (masculine) vivandiere “sutler”; viand ( def ), -ier ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of vivandière¹

C16: see viand

Example Sentences

In 1986, in Trenton, N.J., he offered a memorable performance — exciting and precise — in the 19th-century French style in “La Vivandière.”

From New York Times

At the Opera Comique ‘La Vivandiere’ will be given, and at the Trianon Lyrique ‘The Daughter of the Regiment.’

From New York Times

The latter were bestowed upon the French vivandière.

From Project Gutenberg

"There's coolness for you, Tiernay," said the colonel; "think what the 22d are made of when their vivandiere dares to do this."

From Project Gutenberg

By the way, is not this the regiment that boasts the pretty vivandiere?

From Project Gutenberg