a mounted sentry posted forward of a formation's position
Word origin
C17: from French, from Italian vedetta (influenced by vedere to see), from earlier veletta, perhaps from Spanish vela watch, from velar to keep vigil, from Latin vigilāre
vedette in American English
(vəˈdɛt)
noun
Obsolete
a mounted sentinel posted in advance of the outposts of an army
Word origin
Fr < It vedetta, altered (infl. by vedere, to see) < veletta, sentry box < Sp vela, vigil < velar, to watch < L vigilare: see vigil