mother of vinegar

American  

noun

1. mother.

---

Etymology

Origin of mother of vinegar

First recorded in 1595–1605

Example Sentences

In the early stages, pulpy masses looking like "mother" of vinegar are very obstructive.

From Bronchoscopy and Esophagoscopy A Manual of Peroral Endoscopy and Laryngeal Surgery by Jackson, Chevalier

Vin′egar-cru′et, a glass bottle for holding vinegar; Vinegarette′, a vinaigrette; Vin′egar-plant, the microscopic fungus which produces acetous fermentation—found in two forms known as mother of vinegar and flowers of vinegar.—adjs.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various

The vinegar manufacturers of Orleans did not suspect the role of the mother of vinegar in the production of this article when they were employing empirical processes that had been established by practice.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 446, July 19, 1884 by Various

It is these bacteria which form the zoogloea of the "mother of vinegar," though this film may contain other organisms as well.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 2 "Baconthorpe" to "Bankruptcy" by Various

When the vinegar production is going on properly, there is formed on the top of the liquid a dense felted mass known as the "mother of vinegar."

From The Story of Germ Life by Conn, H. W. (Herbert William)