adv. and sb. Also 7 videllicet. [L. vidēlicet, f. vidē-, stem of vidēre to see + licet it is permissible. Cf. SCILICET.]
A. adv. That is to say; namely; to wit: used to introduce an amplification, or more precise or explicit explanation, of a previous statement or word. (Cf. the abbreviated forms VID.2, VIDEL., VIDZ(T., and VIZ.)
1464. Mann. & Househ. Exp. (Roxb.), 452. Alle odre percellis that are enteryd and engrosyd in my lordis book: videlicet: Ferst [etc.].
1492. in Rymer Fœdera (1711), XII. 480/1. To serve him in his Werres,… videlicet, himself, having his Custrell and Page.
1509. Will, in Archaeologia, LXVI. 310. Massez of Requiem to be saide and song for my Soule by Preestes in maner and forme folowing videlicet Euery Freer [etc.].
1563. Foxe, A. & M., 796/1. Sundry clauses, pointes, matters…: Videlicet, amonges other thinges, where the bishop offred to make particuler aunswere [etc.].
1579. Fulke, Heskins’ Parl., 131. We doe not take one thing: videlicet bread.
1602. T. Fitzherbert, Apol., 27. The words of our sauiour following the former in S. Mathew videlicet: I wil geeue thee the keyes of the kingdome of heauen.
1665. in Parish Bks. St. Julian’s, Salop, I. 125 (MS.). Due to Nath: Clemson for work done to the Clock Videlicet for a new Spring,… for wyer and oyle, 5[s].
1727. Swift, Circumcision E. Curll, Wks. 1755, III. I. 165. The wisest man that ever was, and inasmuch the richest, beyond all peradventure was a Jew, videlicet, Solomon.
1769. Phil. Trans., LIX. 452. To confirm farther what I say, videlicet, that the water, the more glutinous it is, the more it is disposed to become luminous.
1829. Scott, Rob Roy, Introd. One of Rob’s original profession, videlicet a drover.
1840. Barham, Ingol. Leg., Ser. I. St. Odille. Then let’s act like Count Otto, and while one survives, Succumb to our She-Saints—videlicet wives!
B. sb. The word itself as used to introduce an explanation or amplification, esp. in legal documents.
a. 1658. Cleveland, Wks. (1687), 100. You shall never take a Pamphleteer, one of these Haberdashers of small Wares, without his Videlicets, or his Vtpotes. Ibid. A Videlicet is an Hic Canis, it argues a Bungling Writer, as that a Painter.
1774. Ld. Mansfield, in Cowper, Rep. (1783), 170. He has stated it to be in Minorca; with a videlicet.
1805. East, Reports, V. 252. In Stukely v. Butler (Hob. 172). Lord C. J. Hobart speaking of the use of a videlicet, says [etc.].
1824. Stephen, Princ. Pleading, 313. And here, as in the case of a local fact, the insertion of a videlicet will give no help.
