a small town of Alentejo in Portugal, seated on an eminence with a castle near the river Avis. Hence the military order of the knights of Avis have their name. W. Long. 7° 0'. N. Lat. 38° 40'.

Avis (Knights d'Avis), an order of knighthood in Portugal established about the year 1162. When the city of Evora was taken from the Moors, in the reign of the first king of Portugal, it was garrisoned by several persons who assumed the title of knights of St Mary of Evora, which was soon after changed for that of knights d'Avis, which the king gave them, and whither they removed from Evora. The badge of the order is a green cross flory, and they observe the rule of St Benedict.