Dictionary

strong water en · NOUN

Etymology

Calque of Latin aqua fortis, named for their ability to dissolve metals.

Meanings

1. (archaic) Synonym of aqua fortis: ▸ A strong solvent, (particularly) nitric acid.
2. (archaic) Synonym of aqua fortis: ▸ A strong drink, (particularly) distilled spirits.
   • Strong-Waters are apt to give me the Head-ache—I hope, Madam, you will excuse me. 1728, John Gay, The Beggar's Opera, III.8:
   • Now, if there be six Coppers, the first two are thinnest and biggest, in which the juyce is first boiled; but not by a very strong fire, for that will make the Scum to rise, by casting in Temper, as they call it: the first of which that ariseth is little worth; but afterwards, what is scum'd off, they make a very good drink of, called Locus-Ale, much used by the servants; or else they convey it into a Copper-Still (as they do all their other setlings and dregs of Sugar) to be distill'd, and make a sort of Strong-Water they call Rum, or Rum-bullion, stronger then Spirit of Wine, and not very pleasant, until a man is used to it. This strong liquor is ordinarily drank amongst the Planters, as well alone, as made into Punch. 1672, William Hughes, The American Physitian..., pages 33-34:

Forms