adv. [Fr. and It., a. L. bis twice.] Encore, again: used a. in Music as a direction that a phrase or passage is to be repeated. b. Twice; calling attention to the occurrence of a number, word, etc., twice.
1819. Rees, Cycl., s.v. Bis, The word bis placed over such passage,… implies that the whole is to be repeated.
1837. Carlyle, Fr. Rev. (1872), II. III. vii. 127. Marat like a musical bis repeating the last phrase.
1877. F. Hall, Eng. Adjs. in -able, 48. See for the verb, pp. 175 (bis), 302.
