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}]