Impure dilute acetic acid, made from wine, cider, malt, etc. SYN: acetum. [Fr. vinaigre, fr. vin, wine, + aigre, sour]
- mother of v. in v., the fungus of acetous fermentation appearing as a stringy sediment. [A.S. modder, mud]
- pyroligneous v. SYN: wood v..
- wood v. impure acetic acid produced by the destructive distillation of pine tar and wood. SYN: pyroligneous v..
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vin·e·gar 'vin-i-gər n
1) a sour liquid used as a condiment or a preservative that is obtained by acetic fermentation of dilute alcoholic liquids (as fermented cider, malt beer, or wine) or of dilute distilled alcohol
2) a pharmaceutical solution of the active principles of drugs in dilute acetic acid usu. prepared by maceration <aromatic \vinegar>
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vin·e·gar (vinґə-gər) [Fr. vinaigre sour wine] 1. a weak and impure dilution of acetic acid; especially a sour liquid consisting chiefly of acetic acid, formed by the fermentation of cider, wine, etc., or by the distillation of wood. 2. a medicinal solution of a drug in dilute acetic acid.Medical dictionary. 2011.