an officer or dignitary in the Ottoman empire. Vifion pire, whereof there are two kinds; one called by the Turks Vifion-avem, that is, "grand vifion," is the prime minister of state in the whole empire. He commands the army in chief, and presides in the divan or great council. Next to him are fix other subordinate vifters, called vifters of the bench; who officiate as his counsellors or affeffors in the divan.