— vinegarlike , adj.
/vin"i geuhr/ , n.
1. a sour liquid consisting of dilute and impure acetic acid, obtained by acetous fermentation from wine, cider, beer, ale, or the like: used as a condiment, preservative, etc.
2. Pharm. a solution of a medicinal substance in dilute acetic acid, or vinegar.
3. sour or irritable speech, manner, or countenance: a note of vinegar in his voice.
4. Informal. vigor; high spirits; vim.
[ 1250-1300; ME vinegre vin WINE + egre, aigre sour (see EAGER 1 ) ]