water of life

English

Etymology

Chiefly a calque of Medieval Latin aqua vītae directly and via Scottish Gaelic uisge-beatha and Irish uisce beatha. Compare akvavit, aquavit, aqua vitae, eau de vie, whisky, and whiskey from the same sources.

Noun

water of life (uncountable)

1. Synonym of liquor, a distilled spirit.
2. (particularly Ireland, Scotland) Synonym of whiskey/whisky.
3. (religion, figurative) Spiritual refreshment.