kirsch

[keersh]

noun

a fragrant, colorless, unaged brandy distilled from a fermented mash of cherries, produced especially in Germany, Switzerland, and Alsace, France.

Origin of kirsch

1810–20; < German Kirsch, shortened form of Kirschwasser, equivalent to Kirsch(e) cherry + Wasser water

Also called kirsch·was·ser

[keersh-vah-ser] /ˈkɪərʃˌvɑ sər/.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for kirschwasser

Historical Examples of kirschwasser

The valley of Montafon is further celebrated for its production of kirschwasser.
The Valleys of Tirol
R. H. Busk
Same as au kirsch, only use maraschino instead of kirschwasser.
The Hotel St. Francis Cook Book
Victor Hirtzler
Add half a gill of kirschwasser, and pour at once into jelly glasses.
The Hotel St. Francis Cook Book
Victor Hirtzler
Hast ever a drop of kirschwasser, brother Michael, in thy convent?
The Headsman
James Fenimore Cooper
Taste that, master; take a small glass of kirschwasser, and then lie down.
The Man-Wolf and Other Tales
Emile Erckmann and Alexandre Chatrian

British Dictionary definitions for kirschwasser

Kirsch

Kirschwasser (ˈkɪəʃˌvɑːsə)

noun

a brandy distilled from cherries, made chiefly in the Black Forest in Germany and in the Jura and Vosges districts of France

Word Origin for Kirsch

German Kirschwasser cherry water

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for kirschwasser

"liquor distilled from fermented cherry juice," 1819, from German Kirschwasser, literally "cherry-water;" first element from Middle High German kirse, from Old High German kirsa, from Vulgar Latin *ceresia, from Late Latin cerasium "cherry" (see cherry). For second element, see water (n.1).