Pl. cartes-de-visite. [Fr.; = visiting card.] A small photographic portrait mounted on a card, 31/2 by 21/2 inches: so called from the purpose for which they were first proposed.
1861. N. & Q., Ser. II. XII. 322/2. A carte de visite in old times. In these days of cartes de visite, [etc.].
1869. Eng. Mech., 17 Dec., 328/2. The former style of cartes-de-visite.
1875. trans. Vogel’s Chem. Light, iv. 36. The collodion process … acquired an immense impetus through the introduction of cartes de visite. Ibid., vi. 53. The Carte de visite was introduced at Paris by Disderi in 1858 … and has been diffused over the whole earth.
