ENGLISH
REFERENCE

vis

n. uncountable
C2 Proficiency US //ˈvɪs// vis

n. the power or force of something, especially in a legal or physical way. It is a formal word often used in phrases to describe how much strength a rule or action has.

n. force, power, or energy. Often used in legal or technical contexts, particularly within the Latin phrase 'vis inertiae' or to describe the inherent strength of a principle.


SIMPLE

The vis of the argument convinced the judge.

CONTEXTUAL

The lawyer argued that the vis of the new law was sufficient to overturn the previous ruling.

COMPLEX

In classical physics, the concept of vis viva was an early formulation of what we now recognize as kinetic energy, representing the force of a body in motion.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

From Latin vīs.

Etymology 2

From Tamil வீசை (vīcai) and/or Telugu వీసె (vīse).

Usage

Primarily used in formal, legal, or historical scientific contexts; frequently appears as part of Latin phrases.

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