blackavised

English

Alternative forms

• blackaviced, black-a-vised

Etymology

From Scots blackaviced, blackavised, from black + euphonic -a- (perhaps after blackamoor) + French vis (“face”) + -ed.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈblakəvʌɪzd/

Adjective

blackavised (comparative more blackavised, superlative most blackavised)

1. Dark-complexioned; swarthy
   • 1847, Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre:

     I would advise her black a-viced suitor to look out.

   • 1982, Lawrence Durrell, Constance (Avignon Quintet), Penguin, published 2004, page 652:

     They are black-avised as warlocks and wear their black cowls with formality and disdain.