Vinegar
/ˈvɪ.nɪ.ɡər/noun
A sour liquid produced by the fermentation of ethanol, used as a condiment or preservative.
Did you know?In ancient times, vinegar was believed to have protective properties and was used in various rituals for purification and warding off evil spirits.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
vinum acer
“literally 'sour wine', referring to fermented wine that has turned.”
Old French
Old French
vignier
“derived from 'vin' (wine) and 'aigre' (sour), emphasizing its acidic nature.”
Middle English
Middle English
vinegre
“borrowed from the Old French term, referring to the sour condiment.”
Modern English
English
vinegar
“the established term for the sour liquid used in cooking and preservation.”