Obs. Also 6–7 vy(e. [Aphetic ad. F. envi increase of stake (in OF., challenge, provocation), vbl. sb. from envier to increase the stake (in OF., to challenge, provoke, invite):—L. invitāre: see ENVY v.2 So Sp. and Pg. envite (Sp. † embite), It. invito. The adv. AVIE is found slightly earlier (1509–). See also REVIE sb.]
1. In card-playing: A challenge, venture or bid; a sum ventured or staked on one’s cards. Also in fig. context. (Common c. 1590–1650).
1533. More, Debell. Salem, Wks. 955/2. He fareth … as though we sate together playing at poste. For first he casteth my contradiction as a vye, to witte whether I woulde geue it ouer with a face.
1591. Greene, Conny Catch. (1859), 27. The Conny upon thys, knowing hys Card is the third or fourth Carde,… pawnes his rings if he hath any, hys sworde, his cloake, or els what hee hath about him to maintaine the vie.
1592. Wotton, Lett. (1907), I. 273. Not unlike a bad game at Mawe, wherein the first vye being seene, the cards are given before the second.
a. 1618. J. Davies (Heref.), Wittes Pilgr., Wks. (Grosart), II. 32/1. Both which an end do make Of all Love’s Games saue when the Vies are paid.
1648. Gage, West Ind., ix. 26. So the cards were handsomely shuffled, the vies and revies were doubled.
1680. Cotton, Compl. Gamester, xxii. (ed. 2), 106. The Vye is what you please to adventure upon the goodness of your own hand.
b. In the phr. to drop vie(s, in fig. use.
1599. Nashe, Lenten Stuffe, Wks. (Grosart), V. 227. But Parish for Parish…, both for numbers in grosse of honest housholders,… and substantiall graue Burgers, Yarmouth shall droppe vie with them to the last Edward groate they are worth.
1636. B. Jonson, in Ann. Dubrensia (1877), 23. I cannot bring my Muse to dropp Vies Twixt Cotswold, and the Olimpicke exercise.
2. A challenge to contest or rivalry; a display of rivalry or emulation; a contest or competition. Occas. const. of. (Very common in 17th c.)
1568. T. Howell, Arb. Amitie (1879), 64. O Gratious Golde, Whose glittring vie Doth cheere and holde Eche gazing eie.
1605. Sylvester, Du Bartas, II. iii. Captaines, 10. Samuel succeds: Jews crave a King: a vie Of People-Sway: States-Rule: and Monarchy.
1611. Speed, Hist. Gt. Brit., IX. xxiv. 876/1. They … beganne a vie, who should be first in shewing their alteration.
1662. Owen, Animad. Fiat Lux, xxi. Wks. 1855, XIV. 169. Let him begin the vie when he pleaseth; if I live and God will, I will try this matter with him before competent judges.
1674. Govt. Tongue, vi. 109. The King of Ethiopia in a vie of Wit with the King of Egypt, propos’d it as a Problem to him, to drink up the Sea.
b. In prepositional phrases, as at (a) vie, at the vies, in vie (of), on vie. Cf. AVIE adv.
1591. Harington, Orl. Fur., XXXIX. xiv. They wast the fields, and seeme on vye to runne, By which of them most damage may be donne.
1603. Florio, Montaigne, I. xxxix. Philip having heard his sonne great Alexander sing at a feast in vie of the best musitians.
1626. Daniel, Hist. Eng., Wks. (Grosart), IV. 231. The Empresse at the Vies with her Councell, resolues to send ouer her brother into Normandie.
1653. H. Cogan, trans. Pinto’s Trav., xlv. 264. It was worth him above ten thousand Duckats, wherewith the Lords rewarded him as it were in vye of one another in recompence of the good service he did.
1674. Govt. of Tongue, vi. § 12. 127. However as to this particular of defaming, both the sexes seem to be at a vie.
a. 1700. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v. Taudry, They … Bedeckt the Shrines and Altars of the Saints, as being at vye with each other upon that occasion.
3. A challenge as to the accuracy of something; an objection or difficulty. rare.
1591. Horsey, Trav. (Hakl. Soc.), App. 340. [He] hindred al the procedings I had begone, standinge uppon termes and vyes, saeing they were not the Quens letters I brought, nether her hand and sealle.
1603. Holland, Plutarch’s Mor., 1197. Then came in Theon also with his vie, adding moreover & saying, that it could not be denied, but that in truth herein there haue bene great changes & mutations.
1640. Sanderson, Serm. (1681), II. 177. For private men to put in their vie, and … to call in question the decency or expediency of the things so established,… is it self indeed the most indecent and inexpedient thing.
4. attrib., as vie crown, stabs.
The meaning of three [? read thee] a vies wits in quot. 1589 is not clear.
1570. Foxe, A. & M. (ed. 2), III. 2292/2. The Lord of Tame, with an other Gentleman beyng at Tables, playing, and dropping vye crownes, ye Lady Elizabeth passing by, sayd: she would see the game out.
1589. [? Lyly], Pappe w. Hatchet, B ij. Thinkst thou thou hast so good a wit, as none can outwrangle thee? Yes Martin, wee will play three a vies wits. Ibid. Art thou so backt that none dare blade it with thee? Yes Martin, we will drop vie stabbes.
1593. Harvey, Pierce’s Superer., Wks. (Grosart), II. 128. Vie stabbes, good Ecclesiasticall learning in his Apologie; and good Christian Charitie in his Homilie.
