English Reference

Word

vise

/ˈvaɪs/

Definition

n. a tool used to hold an object tightly in place while you work on it. It is usually made of metal and has two jaws that can be squeezed together.

n. a mechanical device used to hold an object firmly in place during a manufacturing or repair process. Often consists of two jaws that can be adjusted to apply pressure.

Examples

“He clamped the wooden board in the vise before cutting it.”

“The mechanic used a heavy-duty vise to secure the engine block while he replaced the bolts.”

“Precision engineering requires a vise with a perfectly parallel grip to ensure that the component remains level and does not warp under the pressure of the clamping force.”

Examples

simple

“He clamped the wooden board in the vise before cutting it.”

contextual

“The mechanic used a heavy-duty vise to secure the engine block while he replaced the bolts.”

complex

“Precision engineering requires a vise with a perfectly parallel grip to ensure that the component remains level and does not warp under the pressure of the clamping force.”

Etymology

From Middle English vis, vys, vice (“screw”), from Anglo-Norman vyz, vice, from Old French vis (“screw”), from Latin vītis f (“vine”). Probably akin to English withe.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry

Level
C2 · Proficiency
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/vise

English Reference