Qui vive \Qui` vive"\ [F., fr. qui who + vive, pres. subj. of vivre to live.] The challenge of a French sentinel, or patrol; -- used like the English challenge: ``Who comes there?'' {To be on the qui vive}, to be on guard; to be watchful and alert, like a sentinel.
qui vive n : condition of heightened watchfulness or preparation for action; "bombers were put on alert during the crisis" [syn: {alert}]