Dictionary

ratafia en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˌɹætəˈfiːə/
• (US) audio

Etymology

Borrowed from Creole French ratafia, from the Latin phrase rata fiat (conventio) (“the deal is made”), a drinking toast expression to celebrate a deal or an agreement. Or, sharing an Arabic origin with arak.

Meanings

1. (countable, uncountable) A liqueur or cordial flavored with peach or cherry kernels, bitter almonds, or other fruits.
   • “Stop that there infernal screeching!” said a couple of ladies, who were sipping ratafia in company with two pretty fellows. 1839, William Makepeace Thackeray, Catherine: A Story:
   • Steeped cucumber ratafia with Pimm's and Sprite is garnished with a squash blossom at T'afia in Houston. 2007 August 29, Pete Wells, “Bottling the Bounty of the Season”, in New York Times:
2. (countable) A kind of biscuit made with ratafia essence and almond or apricot kernels.
   • Mrs. Chaloner ordered wine-biscuits and olives, and gave Mr. Freely to understand that she should find his shop a great convenience. So did the doctor’s wife, and so did Mrs. Gate, at the large carding-mill, who, having high connexions frequently visiting her, might be expected to have a large consumption of ratafias and macaroons. 1864, George Eliot, chapter II, in Brother Jacob:

Forms

Synonyms

ratafia biscuit

Translations (11)

yi נאַליווקע (liqueur) · fr ratafia (liqueur) · bg рашафия (liqueur) · yi מאַנדל־⁠ליקער (liqueur) · es ratafía (liqueur) · bg ратафия (liqueur) · pl ratafia (liqueur) · ca ratafia (liqueur) · it ratafià (liqueur) · cs ratafia (liqueur) · pt ratafia (liqueur)