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eau-de-vie

brandy

noun oh-duh-VEE Rare
Food & Drink Drinks

Also means

eau-de-vie

Usage Note

Eau-de-vie literally means 'water of life' and refers to any clear fruit brandy distilled from fermented fruit juice — apples, pears, plums, and cherries are common bases. The term parallels Gaelic uisce beatha (whisky) and Latin aqua vitae. Regional French varieties include calvados (apple), kirsch (cherry), and mirabelle (yellow plum).

Examples

"Il a offert un verre d'eau-de-vie après le repas."

Natural Translation

He offered a glass of brandy after the meal.

Literal Translation

He offered a glass of water-of-life after the meal.

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