English Explanatory Dictionary

four thieves' vinegar

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. Vinegar mixed with camphor and essential oils, formerly used as medicine.

Word forms

four thieves' vinegar

Etymology

From the story that thieves, by using it, were enabled to plunder, with impunity to health, in the great plague at London. Possibly originally a corruption of "Forthave's vinegar", Richard Forthave being the publisher of an early recipe.

Synonyms

four thieves' oil Marseilles vinegar prophylactic vinegar thieves' oil thieves' vinegar vinegar of the four thieves
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