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🪖 A female army helper 🍲 A woman selling food
vivandière

vivandière

9.9
A woman who sells food and drink in a tavern or inn
  • noun
  • /ˌviːvɑːnˈdɪər/
  • Archaic
: vivandera
  • The vivandière greeted travelers warmly as they entered the bustling tavern.

Examples

  • Locals remembered the old vivandière who served hearty meals to everyone in the village.

  • The vivandière skillfully prepared meals for the hungry travelers at her inn.

  • In historical novels, a vivandière often provides food and comfort to weary soldiers.

  • The vivandière served hearty meals to the weary soldiers.

  • In the 19th century, a vivandière was essential for troop morale.

  • In the camp during the war, the vivandière offered soldiers hot food and fresh bread.

  • Everyone in town admired the vivandière who always had a warm dish ready for the locals.

Synonyms

beer wench
vsvivandière
  • Offensive
1 9.9

A woman who serves beer in a pub, often wearing a costume

sells both food and drink to the public rather than mainly beer
cateress
vsvivandière
  • Archaic
1 9.9

An old word for a woman who prepares and serves food at events

sells regularly in taverns to the public rather than serving at events
victualer
vsvivandière
  • Archaic
9.9

A person who runs an inn and serves guests food and drink

works as a seller rather than managing or owning the inn

Surface Forms

vivandière singular
vivandières plural

Etymology

Vivandière comes from the French vivande 'food' and shares the same root as revive ('to live'). Historically a vivandière was a woman who sold or served food and drink in a tavern or inn, so the name simply means a woman who provided meals and refreshment.