vinegar

[ vin-i-ger ]
/ ˈvɪn ɪ gər /

noun

a sour liquid consisting of dilute and impure acetic acid, obtained by acetous fermentation from wine, cider, beer, ale, or the like: used as a condiment, preservative, etc.
Pharmacology. a solution of a medicinal substance in dilute acetic acid, or vinegar.
sour or irritable speech, manner, or countenance: a note of vinegar in his voice.
Informal. vigor; high spirits; vim.

Origin of vinegar

1250–1300; Middle English vinegre < Old French, equivalent to vin wine + egre, aigre sour (see eager1)

OTHER WORDS FROM vinegar

vin·e·gar·like, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for vinegar

British Dictionary definitions for vinegar

vinegar
/ (ˈvɪnɪɡə) /

noun

a sour-tasting liquid consisting of impure dilute acetic acid, made by oxidation of the ethyl alcohol in beer, wine, or cider. It is used as a condiment or preservative
sourness or peevishness of temper, countenance, speech, etc
pharmacol a medicinal solution in dilute acetic acid
US and Canadian informal vitality

verb

(tr) to apply vinegar to

Derived forms of vinegar

vinegarish, adjective vinegar-like, adjective

Word Origin for vinegar

C13: from Old French vinaigre, from vin wine + aigre sour, from Latin acer sharp

Medical definitions for vinegar

vinegar
[ vĭnĭ-gər ]

n.

An impure dilute solution of acetic acid obtained by fermentation beyond the alcohol stage and used as a preservative.