What is "vedette"

Vedette \Ve*dette"\, n. [F. vedette, It. vedetta, for veletta (influenced by vedere to see, L. videre), from It. veglia watch, L. vigilia. See Vigil.] A sentinel, usually on horseback, stationed on the outpost of an army, to watch an enemy and give notice of danger; a vidette.

"mounted sentinel placed in advance of an outpost," 1680s, from French vedette (16c.), from Italian (Florentine) vedetta "watch tower, peep hole," probably from vedere "to see," from Latin videre "to see" (see vision).

n. 1 A sentinel, usually on horseback, stationed on the outpost of an army, to watch an enemy and give notice of danger. 2 (rfdef: English)

The French military term vedette (formed from Latin videre, to see), also spelled vidette, migrated into English and other languages to refer to a mounted sentry or picket, who has the function of bringing information, giving signals or warnings of danger, etc., to a main body of troops. In modern terms, the soldiers who man listening-posts are the equivalent of vedettes.

All around Salisbury Plain in southern England, the roads connecting the plain with the surrounding countryside feature brick-built guard-posts, manned by security officers whenever there is military activity beyond such points. They are known as vedettes, and each one is named for a local geographic feature.

The Gardjola (Maltese for watch tower) in Senglea, Malta is an example of a vedette. It may be referred to in French as an échauguette.

Navies use the term vedette to refer to a small scouting or patrol boat.

The term has also been used for specific naval vessels (see USS Vedette), and a class of flying boat (see Canadian Vickers Vedette).

Vedette is the second b-side album by Argentine rock group Babasónicos. It contains tracks that didn't make the cut for Dopádromo and Babasónica.

Vedette may refer to:

• Vedette (sentry), a military sentry or outpost
• Vedette (cabaret), a Spanish term equivalent to showgirl or pop icon
• Vedette (album), a 2000 album by Argentine rock group Babasónicos
• Canadian Vickers Vedette, a Canadian-built biplane
• Vedette Shapewear, brand name for a manufacturer of shapewear, lingerie, and corsets
• Ford Vedette, a Ford France car model from 1948 to 1954
• Simca Vedette, a Simca car model from 1954 to 1961

• , the name of more than one United States Navy ship

• Vedette (horse), a Thoroughbred racehorse
• Vedette côtière de surveillance maritime, a class of patrol boats of the French Maritime Gendarmerie

Vedette is the term used in Hispanic American countries to describe female entertainers with multiple talents for singing, dancing, or acting. Although the Spanish term is derived from French vedette ("starlet") its meaning is equivalent to French meneuse de revue (" showgirl" or " bombshell"). Examples include Suzy King, Susana Giménez, Iris Chacón, Josephine Baker, Liliane Montevecchi, and Candida Batista. More broadly, the term describes female variety performers whose talents typically include dancing, acting, and singing in theatres and carnavals. These risqué productions are similar to the French cabaret, burlesque, and revue.

Vedette (foaled 1854) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 2000 Guineas Stakes and two Doncaster Cups. He also sired Epsom Derby winner and Champion sire, Galopin. He was owned by Thomas Dundas, 2nd Earl of Zetland and trained by George Abdale.