whisky

whisky · noun¹

1. Medieval Latin · derived fromaqua vitae
2. Scottish Gaelic · derived fromuisge-beatha“water of life”
3. English todaywhisky

Variant of usque, abbreviation of usquebaugh (compare obsolete whiskybae), from Scottish Gaelic uisge-beatha (“water of life”), calque of Medieval Latin aqua vitae. Compare akvavit, aquavit, aqua vitae, eau de vie, and water of life from the same source.

whisky · noun²

From whisk + -y.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• early 18th century Alternative form of whiskey, an alcoholic liquor distilled from fermented grain, usually aged in oak barrels, (particularly) Scotch; a drink of this liquor.