aqua vitae

Alternative forms

• aqua vitæ

Etymology

From Latin aqua "water" and vitae "of life", meaning "water of life".

Noun

aqua vitae (countable and uncountable, plural aquae vitae)

1. (alchemy) An aqueous solution of alcohol typically prepared by distilling wine.
2. (chemistry, archaic) A concentrated aqueous solution of ethanol.
3. (beverages) French brandy or cognac.
   • c. 1597, William Shakespeare, A Most Pleasaunt and Excellent Conceited Comedie, of Syr Iohn Falstaffe, and the Merrie Wiues of Windsor. Entermixed with Sundrie Variable and Pleasing Humors, of Syr Hugh the Welch Knight, Iustice Shallow, and His Wife Cousin M. Slender. With the Swaggering Vaine of Auncient Pistoll, and Corporall Nym. By William Shakespeare. As It hath bene Diuers Times Acted by the Right Honorable My Lord Chamberlaines Seruants. Both before Her Maiestie, and Else-where (First Quarto), London: Printed by T[homas] C[reede] for Arthur Ihonson, and are to be sold at his shop in Powles Church-yard, at the signe of the Flower de Leuse and the Crowne, published 1602, OCLC 670741489, [Act II, scene ii]:

     Ile ſooner truſt an Iriſhman with my / Aquauita bottle, Sir Hu[gh Evans] our parſon with my cheeſe, / A theefe to walk my ambling gelding, thẽ my wife / With her ſelfe; […]

Etymology

Literally "water of life", from aqua (“water”) + vīta (“life”).

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /ˈa.kʷa ˈwiː.tae̯/
• (Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /ˈa.kwa ˈvi.tɛ/, [ˈaː.kwa ˈviː.tɛ]

• Audio (Classical)

  (file)

Noun

aqua vītae f (genitive aquae vītae); first declension

1. distilled alcohol; spirits