aqua vitae
"Aqua vitae," meaning "water of life" in Latin, refers to strong distilled spirits and has historical significance in medicine and alchemy.
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Definition
C1General
(historical)A term for strong distilled spirits, such as brandy or whisky.
Example
- In medieval Europe, aqua vitae was commonly consumed for its warming properties.
C2Medicine
(archaic)A medicinal preparation containing alcohol, believed to promote health and longevity.
Example
- Physicians once prescribed aqua vitae to treat various ailments.
C2Alchemy
(archaic, technical)A solution of ethanol, historically prepared by distilling wine, used in alchemical practices.
Example
- Alchemists sought to create aqua vitae as a means to achieve eternal life.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "aqua vitae":