vodka

noun

Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *wed- Proto-Indo-European *-r̥ Proto-Indo-European *wódr̥ Proto-Balto-Slavic *wandō Proto-Slavic *voda Old East Slavic вода (voda) Russian вода́ (vodá) Proto-Slavic *-ьka Proto-Indo-European *-keh₂der. Proto-Balto-Slavic *-kāˀ Proto-Slavic *-ъka Russian -ка (-ka) Russian во́дка (vódka)bor. English vodka 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.

1. 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.”

   “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.”

2. 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.”

3. Neutral spirits distilled (or treated after distillation) so as to have no distinctive character, aroma, taste, or color.
4. A Russian.
5. Russian language.