vodka

Meaning

Noun

• A clear distilled alcoholic liquor made from grain mash.
• A serving of the above beverage.
• Neutral spirits distilled (or treated after distillation) so as to have no distinctive character, aroma, taste or color.

Origin

• Borrowed from Russian во́дка, diminutive of вода́. Historical documentary research of V. Pokhlyobkin suggests the derivation via the usage "dilution (of distillate) with water", as used in expressions "vodka of grain wine" and similar; хле́бное вино́ is an archaic Russian name for vodka.
• The standard of identity is from the Code of Federal Regulations, title 27, section 5.22(a)(1).