To be on the qui vive

To be on the qui vive
Qui vive Qui` vive" (k[-e]` v[-e]v"). [F., fr. qui who + vive, pres. subj. of vivre to live.] The challenge of a French sentinel, or patrol; -- used like the English challenge: ``Who comes there?'' [1913 Webster]

{To be on the qui vive}, to be on guard; to be watchful and alert, like a sentinel. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • on the qui vive — noun lively attentiveness • Syn: ↑alertness, ↑sharp sightedness • Derivationally related forms: ↑sharp sighted (for: ↑sharp sightedness), ↑alert (for: ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • Qui vive — (k[ e] v[ e]v ). [F., fr. qui who + vive, pres. subj. of vivre to live.] The challenge of a French sentinel, or patrol; used like the English challenge: Who comes there? [1913 Webster] {To be on the qui vive}, to be on guard; to be watchful and… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • qui vive? — [kē vēv′] 〚Fr, (long) live who? (i.e., which monarch or ruler do you support?, whose side are you on?), 3d pers. sing., pres. subj., of vivre, to live (< L vivere) + qui, who (< L)〛 who goes there? a sentry s challenge on the qui vive on the… …   Universalium

  • qui vive? — [kē vēv′] [Fr, (long) live who? (i.e., which monarch or ruler do you support?, whose side are you on?), 3d pers. sing., pres. subj., of vivre, to live (< L vivere) + qui, who (< L)] who goes there? a sentry s challenge on the qui vive on… …   English World dictionary

  • on the qui vive — on the alert or lookout. → qui vive …   English new terms dictionary

  • qui vive — noun Etymology: French qui vive, from qui vive? long live who?, challenge of a French sentry Date: 1726 alert, lookout used in the phrase on the qui vive …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • qui vive — /kee veev / 1. (italics) French. who goes there? 2. on the qui vive, on the alert; watchful: Special guards were on the qui vive for trespassers. [1720 30; < F lit., (long) live who? (i.e., on whose side are you?)] * * * …   Universalium

  • qui vive — /ki ˈviv/ (say kee veev) phrase on the qui vive, on the alert. {French: (long) live who? – as if calling for such a reply as Vive le roi! Long live the king!} …  

  • qui vive —    (kee VEEV) [French: who goes there?] On the qui vive: on the lookout; on the alert; watchful …   Dictionary of foreign words and phrases

  • qui vive — [ki: vi:v] noun (in phr. on the qui vive) on the alert or lookout. Origin C16: from Fr., lit. (long) live who? , i.e. on whose side are you? , used as a sentry s challenge …   English new terms dictionary

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