Obs. rare. [Arbitrary shortening of VISIT sb.: see first quot.] A short visit or call.
1754. World, No. 62, ¶ 8. When a fine gentleman chuses to signify his intention of making a short Visit … I am for an abridgment of the word, and only calling it a Vis. Ibid., ¶ 9. I may observe … that the Vis seems to be chiefly confined within the bills of mortality.
1807. Southey, Life A. Bell (1844), II. 562. If you cannot make me a visit, at least make me a vis, if you can, before your return to Swanage.
Hence † Vis v. trans., to pay a short visit to. (Cf. VIZ v.) Obs.
1754. World, No. 62, ¶ 8. Lady Changeherfriend’s compliments to Lady Fiddlefaddle, and intends to Vis her ladyship this evening.
