vie
nounEtymology Apheretic form of envy, from Middle English envien, from Old French envier, from Latin invītō.
1
Obsolete A contest.
- Related terms
- a-vie, eau de vie, life estate pur autre vie
vie
verb/vaɪ/
Etymology Apheretic form of envy, from Middle English envien, from Old French envier, from Latin invītō.
1
To fight for superiority; to contend; to compete eagerly so as to gain something.
- Near-synonym: oppose
- Her suitors were all vying for her attention.
2 more examples
- It is the tradition of a trading nation[…], that the younger sons[…] may be placed in such a way of life as […] to vie with the best of their family.1711 July 14 (Gregorian calendar), [Joseph Addison; Richard Steele et al.], “TUESDAY, July 4, 1711”, in The Spectator, number 109; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator; a New Edition, […], volume II, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton & Company, 1853, →OCLC:
- The Major Stations category is keenly contested, with 24 other large city centre termini and major rail hub stations all vying for recognition. As ever, the NRA's expert panel of judges visited each as unannounced mystery shoppers.2023 October 18, Nick Brodrick, “The grand gateway to Glasgow”, in RAIL, number 994, page 33:
2
Archaic To rival (something), etc.
- But, if there be, or ever were, one such, / It's past the size of dreaming: nature wants stuff / To vie strange forms with fancy; yet, to imagine / An Antony, were nature's piece 'gainst fancy, / Condemning shadows quite.c. 1606–1607 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals, and the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals):
3
To do or produce in emulation, competition, or rivalry; to put in competition; to bandy.
- She hung about my neck; and kiss on kiss / She vied so fast.c. 1590–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Taming of the Shrew”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i]:
- Nor was he set over us to vie wisdom with his Parliament, but to be guided by them.1649, J[ohn] Milton, ΕΙΚΟΝΟΚΛΆΣΤΗΣ [Eikonoklástēs] […], London: […] Matthew Simmons, […], →OCLC:
1 more example
- And vying malice with my gentleness, / Pick quarrels with their only happiness.1633, George Herbert, The Sacrifice:
4
To stake; to wager.
- Out, thou camelion harlot! now thine eyes Vie tears with the hyæna1605 (first performance), Ben[jamin] Jonson, Ben: Ionson His Volpone or The Foxe, [London]: […] [George Eld] for Thomas Thorppe, published 1607, →OCLC, (please specify the Internet Archive page):
- Nature wants stuff To vie strange forms with fancyc. 1606–1607 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii]:
5
To stake a sum of money upon a hand of cards, as in the old game of gleek. See revie.