noun / verb
viva
An examination conducted through spoken questions and answers.
The British doctoral student prepares for her viva with two examiners.
Etymology
Viva shortens viva voce, distinguishing an oral examination from a written one.
More examples
- The professor vivaed the candidate about her research.
- Several vivas were scheduled for Friday.
- He was being vivaed on the central claims of his thesis.
Forms
viva · vivas · vivaed · vivaing
Similar words
- oral examination
- The usual American phrase rather than the British shortening.