eau de vie

[ ohduh-vee; English oh duh vee ]

noun

, French.

1. brandy, especially a coarser and less purified variety.

eau de vie

/ əʊ də viː; od vi /

noun

1. brandy or other spirits

Word History and Origins

Origin of eau de vie¹

Literally, water of life; aqua vitae

Word History and Origins

Origin of eau de vie¹

French, literally: water of life

Example Sentences

It refers to what Americans call eau-de-vie, though Austrians have been tinkering with and perfecting the drink for centuries.

From The Daily Beast

Not ze whisky from ze rotten grain; but ze eau-de-vie wiz ze fire of ze sun and ze sweet of ze vine!

From Project Gutenberg

Besides, among seamen, Eau always means brandy; and Eau-de-vie, brandy of a high proof.

From Project Gutenberg

I stood by her supporting her head on my breast, while Justine ran for camphor and eau-de-vie.

From Project Gutenberg

She seems to have taken to drink, for her thefts are mostly of wine and eau de vie.

From Project Gutenberg

So I gave him a little more eau-de-vie, and he took it most submissively.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• whiskey