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)

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 3 Dec. 2023.

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