eau-de-vie

noun

plural eaux-de-vie ˌō(z)-də-ˈvē How to pronounce eau-de-vie (audio)
: a clear brandy distilled from the fermented juice of fruit (such as pears or raspberries)

Examples of eau-de-vie in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web And the production, directed by David Cromer, pauses several times to marvel at the eau-de-vie light streaming in through the set’s tall windows. Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 11 Jan. 2024 This is a single estate expression made from grapes grown in the Grande Champagne cru, and the eau-de-vie is aged in the humid cellars onsite. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 21 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'eau-de-vie.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, water of life, translation of Medieval Latin aqua vitae

First Known Use

1683, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of eau-de-vie was in 1683

Dictionary Entries Near eau-de-vie

Cite this Entry

“Eau-de-vie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eau-de-vie. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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