Viva, interjection
- Forms:
- Also with small initial.
- Origin:
- Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, South African EnglishShow more Italian, Spanish and Portuguese, but in South African English probably from Portuguese, as used in Angola and Mozambique.
‘Long live’, used as a greeting, exclamation, or salute at left-wing political rallies; loosely, in any context, a cry of celebration or triumph. See also amandla.
1985 Probe Nov. 29God helps those who help themselves. We can cry with Lawrence and say ‘Viva La word of Almighty God’! and still remain far from liberation.
1993 Weekly Mail & Guardian 13 Aug. 35A woman took the microphone and started shouting slogans: ‘Viva ANC viva! Viva local government viva! Viva MK viva!’
‘Long live’, used as a greeting, exclamation, or salute at left-wing political rallies; loosely, in any context, a cry of celebration or triumph.
- Derivatives:
- Hence viva noun, a cry of ‘viva’.1987 Frontline May 10Feeling no need for a dose of Amandlas and Vivas, and assurances of the imminent demise of minority rule, I turn homeward.1989 Sunday Times 15 Oct. 4A clergyman chanted a litany of ‘Vivas’, and even said: ‘Viva petrol bomb.’
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