vodka
nounUS /ˈvɑdkə/ · /ˈvɒdkə/
Etymology Borrowed from Russian во́дка (vódka), from вода́ (vodá, “water”) + -ка (-ka, “-let: forming diminutives”). The archaic Russian name for vodka was хле́бное вино́ (xlébnoje vinó, “grain wine”); V. Pokhlyobkin's research suggests the present name derived from expressions concerning the dilution of the initial pure distilled spirit such as "vodka of grain wine". Cognates include Sanskrit उदक (udaka), Ancient Greek ὕδωρ (húdōr) → English hydro-, English whisky and English water.
A clear distilled alcoholic liquor made from grain mash.
- Eurydice pointed to the cupboard, and sat down on the low divan with folded hands, and looked at the floor. She was quite white. Elsa made her drink a glass of vodka.1932, Maurice Baring, chapter 20, in Friday's Business:
- At Vessel, in Seattle, the bar manager, Jamie Boudreau, starts his cherry bitters by combining separate bourbon- and rye-based infusions with a touch of honey-flavored vodka and the Italian digestif amaro.2007 June 27, Rob Willey, “A Bit of History, Reborn in a Glass”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 10 Jun 2021:
A serving of the above beverage.
- You should mutter sullenly into your glass, cursing the serving woman (Witch! Hag! Poison!) or the vodka (Poison! Bitch!), as the one pours you another glass of the other.1986, Marc Polonsky, Russell Taylor, USSR, From an Original Idea by Karl Marx, Faber and Faber, →ISBN:
Neutral spirits distilled (or treated after distillation) so as to have no distinctive character, aroma, taste, or color.
US standards of identity
Government, Military, Politics, War Slang Russian language.
- Derived terms
- caipivodka, penne alla vodka, Scotchka, vodka beetle, vodka cran, vodkaholic, vodkaless, vodkalike, vodka luge, vodkarita, vodka sauce, vodkatini, vodka tonic