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 of alcohol typically prepared by distilling wine.
  • noun chemistry, archaic A concentrated aqueous solution of ethanol.
  • 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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Comments

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  • 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

  • See also "whisky" (=uisge beatha = water of life).

    January 28, 2008

  • Not to be confused with aqua regia. So don't keep you alchemical supplies in your liquor cabinet.

    January 28, 2008