Etymology : Middle English vinegre, from Middle French vinaigre, from vin wine + aigre keen, sour; more at EAGER
Pronunciation : 'vi-ni-g&r
Function : noun
Date : 14th century
1. acidic liquid that is made from a natural fermentation process and is often used for cooking and as a condiment; sourness; vitality. vinegar\vin"e*gar\, v. t. to convert into vinegar; to make like vinegar; to render sour or sharp. [obs.] hoping that he hath vinegared his senses as he was bid. jonson.vinegar \vin"e*gar\ , n. [oe. vinegre, f. vinaigre; vin wine (l. vinum) + aigre sour. see:
wine, and eager, a.].
2. a sour liquid used as a condiment, or as a preservative, and obtained by the spontaneous (acetous) fermentation, or by the artificial oxidation, of wine, cider, beer, or the like.note: the characteristic sourness of vinegar is due to acetic acid, of which it contains from three to five per cent. wine vinegar contains also tartaric acid, citric acid, etc.
3. hence, anything sour; -- used also metaphorically. here's the challenge: i warrant there's vinegar and pepper in't.
4. A sour liquid used as a condiment, or as a preservative, and obtained by the spontaneous fermentation, or by the artificial oxidation, of wine, cider, beer, or the like.
5. Hence, anything sour; used also metaphorically.
6. To convert into vinegar; to make like vinegar; to render sour or sharp. sour-tasting liquid produced usually by oxidation of the alcohol in wine or cider and used as a condiment or food preservative dilute acetic acid A binding.
7. A bond of union; a tie.
8. A straight, horizontal mark placed over two or more members of a compound quantity, which are to be subjected to the same operation, as in the expression x2 + y2 - x + y.
9. A band or bundle of fibers; a frænum.
10. A commissure uniting the two main tendons in the foot of certain birds.
11. Of or pertaining to a vintage, or grape harvest.
12. To gather the vintage.
13. The operation of gathering grapes.
14. Capable of being vindicated.
15. To lay claim to; to assert a right to; to claim.
16. To.
17. Vinegar is a sharp-tasting liquid, usually made from sour wine or malt, which is used to make things such as salad dressing. Sour liquid obtained by fermentation of dilute alcoholic liquids. Probably first made from wine (French vinaigre means "sour wine"), vinegar may also be made from malted barley, rice, cider, or other substances. The source substance, which must contain sugar, is fermented by yeast to produce alcohol. The alcohol is then aerated, which causes it to convert, through the action of Acetobacter bacteria, to acetic acid, water, and various other compounds. Vinegar is used in pickling meat, fish, fruits, and vegetables and in creating marinades, dressings, and other sauces.