Sc. Also 8–9 vizzy, 9 vizzie, vizzey, vissie, visie, visey, etc. [f. the vb., or ad. F. visée (OF. visee), look, sight, aim, etc.]
1. An aim at an object that it is desired to hit; esp. in the phr. to take a vizy (cf. F. prendre visée).
1720. Ramsay, Marr. Earl Weymss, vi. The Thane of Fife, wha lately wi’ his flane, And vizy leel, made the blyth bowl his ain.
1808. J. Mayne, Siller Gun, IV. xlviii. Roused at the thought, [he] charged his fuzee, Took but ae vizzy wi’ his e’e—The bullet flies Clean through the target to a tee.
1822. Galt, Steam-boat, vii. Logan took a vizy, and fired.
1884. Pae, Eustace, 143. The gun was run into the desired position, the sailor called it a ‘vizzey.’
b. The sight of a gun.
1828. Blackw. Mag., Sept., 288/2. Thus too, the vizy (Anglice sight) generally inclined unduly to one side or the other.
2. A look or view; a sight of something; a glimpse.
1785. Mackenzie, Lounger, No. 6, ¶ 2. He tried to see the stage, and got a flying vizzy now and then.
1818. Scott, Br. Lamm., xvi. But ye had best take a visie of him through the wicket before opening the gate.
1834. Tait’s Mag., I. 429/1. It unfortunately never was his forte to take a steady fixed vizzy of any one thing.
Hence Vizyless a.
1828. Blackw. Mag., Sept., 300/1. Oh! that our passion could restore thee [i.e., Mons Meg], butless, lockless, vizyless,… though thou be’st, to the light of day.
