‖ carte-de-visite
(ˈkartdəviˈzit)
Pl. cartes-de-visite.
[Fr.; = visiting card.]
A small photographic portrait mounted on a card, 3½ by 21/4 inches: so called from the purpose for which they were first proposed.
| 1861 N. & Q. Ser. ii. XII. 322/2 A carte de visite in old times. In these days of cartes de visite, etc. 1869 Eng. Mech. 17 Dec. 328/2 The former style of cartes-de-visite. 1875 tr. Vogel's Chem. Light iv. 36 The collodion process..acquired an immense impetus through the introduction of cartes de visite. Ibid. vi. 53 The Carte de visite was introduced at Paris by Disderi in 1858..and has been diffused over the whole earth. |