/ vɪnˈjet; NAmE / noun ( formal )
1.
a short piece of writing or acting that clearly shows what a particular person, situation, etc. is like
2.
a small picture or drawing, especially on the first page of a book
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (in sense 2; also as an architectural term denoting a carved representation of a vine): from French , diminutive of vigne vine.