on the qui vive

  • 1on the qui vive — noun lively attentiveness • Syn: ↑alertness, ↑sharp sightedness • Derivationally related forms: ↑sharp sighted (for: ↑sharp sightedness), ↑alert (for: ↑ …

    Useful english dictionary

  • 2To 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 …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 3on the qui vive — on the alert or lookout. → qui vive …

    English new terms dictionary

  • 4Qui 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

  • 5qui 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&#8230; …

    Universalium

  • 6qui 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 (&LT; L vivere) + qui, who (&LT; L)] who goes there? a sentry s challenge on the qui vive on&#8230; …

    English World dictionary

  • 7on the qui vive — on the alert; diligently alert and watchful; lively awareness …

    English contemporary dictionary

  • 8on the qui vive — On the alert …

    New dictionary of synonyms

  • 9qui 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

  • 10qui 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