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aqua vitae definition

aqua vi·tae (vīt′ē)

  1. Alchemy alcohol
  2. brandy or other strong liquor

Etymology: ML, spirit distilled from wine and herbs, alcohol, lit., water of life (> ME aqua vite, brandy, Dan akvavit, Ger aquavit) < L aqua, water + gen. of vita, life: see vital & whiskey

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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