visiting-card
Definition
- Noun:
- A small card bearing one's name and often address: A "visiting-card" is a traditional card, typically small and printed, that was used in formal social contexts to announce one's presence or to leave as a form of introduction when calling upon someone at their home. It often includes the person's name, title, and sometimes their address.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- He left his visiting-card on the silver tray by the door. (He presented or deposited a small card with his name as a formal gesture.)
- In the 19th century, a gentleman would always carry a visiting-card for social calls. (The card was essential for polite introductions.)
Advanced Usage
"to present one's visiting-card": to formally introduce oneself by giving a card.
- Upon arriving at the mansion, the butler announced that the guest had presented his visiting-card. (The guest offered the card for identification.)
"to leave a visiting-card": to indicate one has called, even if the person is not home.
- She left her visiting-card to show she had paid a visit. (She left the card as a record of her call.)
Variants and Related Words
Calling-card (n): a synonym for "visiting-card," often used interchangeably.
- He handed his calling-card to the receptionist. (He gave a small card with his name.)
Business card (n): a modern equivalent, used for professional introductions rather than social calls.
- She exchanged business cards at the conference. (Cards with professional contact details.)
Synonyms
- Calling-card: a card used for social visits.
- Name card: a card bearing a person's name (less formal).
Related Idioms
- "to have a card up one's sleeve": (not directly related to visiting cards) to have a hidden advantage or plan, but sometimes used metaphorically for personal introductions.
- He always had a visiting-card ready, like a card up his sleeve, for unexpected meetings. (He was prepared to introduce himself formally.)
Cultural Note
- Historically, "visiting-cards" were a key part of etiquette in the 18th and 19th centuries. They were often engraved or embossed, and the act of leaving one was a formal social ritual. Today, the term is largely archaic, replaced by "business cards" for professional use and "calling cards" in some formal contexts.