aqua vitae

See also: aqua vitæ

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Medieval Latin aqua vītae directly and via Middle English aqua vite and French eau-de-vie, from aqua (“water”) and vītae (“of life”). Doublet of aquavit and akvavit. Compare eau de vie, whisky, whiskey, and water of life from the same source.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˌeɪkwə ˈvaɪti/, /ˌækwə ˈviːteɪ/

Noun

aqua vitae (countable and uncountable, plural aquae vitae)

  1. (alchemy) An aqueous solution of alcohol typically prepared by distilling wine.
  2. (organic chemistry, archaic) A concentrated aqueous solution of ethanol.
  3. (archaic) Synonym of liquor, particularly cognac and other French brandy.

Latin

Etymology

From aqua (“water”) + vītae (“of life”).

Pronunciation

Noun

aqua vītae f sg (genitive aquae vītae); first declension

  1. (Medieval Latin) liquor, distilled alcohol
    Synonym: spiritus vini (“spirit of wine”)

Declension

First-declension noun with an indeclinable portion, singular only.

singular
nominative aqua vītae
genitive aquae vītae
dative aquae vītae
accusative aquam vītae
ablative aquā vītae
vocative aqua vītae

Descendants

Descendants

References

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