mother of vinegar

American  

noun

1. mother.

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Etymology

Origin of mother of vinegar

First recorded in 1595–1605

Example Sentences

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

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

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

The mother of vinegar examined in the same way is seen to be swarming with a mass of wriggling little worms, and may possibly cause the observer to abstain from all salads forever after.

From The Boy Mechanic: Volume 1 700 Things for Boys to Do by Popular Mechanics Co.

It is one of the aerobic ferments, and is present in what is known as the "mother" of vinegar and is secreted by it.

From Human Foods and Their Nutritive Value by Snyder, Harry