four thieves' vinegar en · NOUN
Etymology
From the story that thieves, by using it, were enabled to plunder, with impunity to health, in the great plague at London. Possibly originally a corruption of "Forthave's vinegar", Richard Forthave being the publisher of an early recipe.
Meanings
- (UK, archaic, uncountable) Vinegar mixed with camphor and essential oils, formerly used as medicine.
Synonyms
thieves' oil · thieves' vinegar · vinegar of the four thieves · four thieves' oil · Marseilles vinegar · prophylactic vinegar