Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun Strong distilled alcohol, especially a strong liquor such as whiskey or brandy.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun alchemy An
aqueous solution ofalcohol typically prepared bydistilling wine . - noun chemistry, archaic A
concentrated aqueous solution ofethanol . - noun beverages
French brandy /cognac .
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun strong distilled liquor or brandy
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
[Middle English aqua vite, from Medieval Latin aqua vītae; see aquavit.]
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
From Latin aqua "water" and vitae "of life", meaning "water of life".
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Examples
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treeseed commented on the word aqua vitae
From Merriam-Webster dictionary:
Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin, literally, water of life
Date: 15th century
: a strong alcoholic liquor (as brandy)
January 25, 2008
misterpolly commented on the word aqua vitae
See also "whisky" (=uisge beatha = water of life).
January 28, 2008
sionnach commented on the word aqua vitae
Not to be confused with aqua regia. So don't keep you alchemical supplies in your liquor cabinet.
January 28, 2008