Middle English Dictionary Entry
aqua vite n. phr.
Entry Info
| Forms | aqua vite n. phr. |
| Etymology | L |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Brandy or other highly distilled spirits; esp., spiced brandy [cp. aqua ardens, water ardaunt].
Associated quotations
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)60a/b : Fresh wondez wasshen with aqua vite geteþ þe effecte of fulsone helyng, for it is mych desiccatyue.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)139b/b : Hote brede applicate vpon þe toþe And ewe ardent i. aqua vite in þis case is best.
- ?c1425 Arun.Cook.Recipes (Arun 334)455 : Putte theron a litel aqua vite and qwhen hit is dresset in dysshes..thenne light hit with a waxe candel, and serve hit forthe brennynge.
- c1450 Med.Bk.(1) (Med-L 136)80/204 : First wasshe þe mormall with aqua vite or with water of rosis..Aqua vite is clenser.
- c1450 Med.Bk.(1) (Med-L 136)300/987 : To make Aqua Vite. Tak quyte wyne..and clowes..still hem iiij tymes or v vnto the tyme it will brenne on a lynnen cloth with out any wemme þerof.
- c1450 Burg.Practica (Rwl D.251)200/18 : Put in hys mowth the pouder of aloes tempered with aqua vite.
- ?c1450 Stockh.PRecipes (Stockh 10.90)27/1 : To makyn aqua vite. Fylle a potte of old reed wyn, and doo þere-inne powdir of canell, gyllofre [and of 21 other spices and herbs]..and stylle it with soft fyir..Þis is clepyd watir of lyf..olde philosofiris called it þe secunde bawme..It is good also to alle manere of colde sekenessys..for þe palsye..it cleryth mannys syght; on woundys it fretyth awey deed flesch; also it sleth þe festre and þe cancre.
- ?a1500 Henslow Recipes (Henslow)73/3 : To make aqua vite. Take sauge and fynel-rotes [etc.]..vse [thereof] euer[e]ch day a lytel spone-ful.
- a1550 *Ripley CAlch.(BodeMus 63)64b : Aqua vite with spices acuate.
- a1550 *Norton OAlch.(BodeMus 63)2246 : Chefe liquor was aqua vite, elixir to socour; for she was spirituall, and wolde revyue Ded thinges fro death to lyfe; she [was] quinte essence.