was wotd|2006|April|11
English

Etymology
Attested since the mid 16th century, of uncertain origin. Suggestions include connection with Irish, Gaelic cauch (whence Scots quaich, queff) "cup". The noun is derived from the verb, since the later 16th century.

Pronunciation
British SAMPA|/kwQf/
(US) SAMPA|/kwOf/
IPA|/'kw�f/
audio|en-us-quaff.ogg|Audio (US)
:Rhymes: Rhymes:English:-æf|-æf

Synonyms
chug
gulp
swig

Verb
en-verb

1. To drink or imbibe, especially with vigour.
2. In wine terminology, to sip a wine for itself (as oppose wikipedia:Wine_and_food_matching|food pairing)

Quotations
timeline|
1500s=1594|
1600s=1667|
1800s=1845 1852
1594 � Shakespeare, s:The Taming of the Shrew|The Taming of the Shrew i 2
:Please ye we may contrive this afternoon, / And quaff carouses to our mistress' health
1667 � w:John Milton|John Milton, s:Paradise Lost|Paradise Lost Book V
:They eat, they drink, and in communion sweet
:Quaff immortality and joy...
1845 � w:Edgar Allan Poe|Edgar Allan Poe, s:The Raven (Poe)|The Raven
:Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost Lenore!
1852 � w:Nathaniel Hawthorne|Nathaniel Hawthorne, s:Dr. Heidegger's Experiment|Dr. Heidegger's Experiment
:Even while quaffing the third draught of the Fountain of Youth, they were almost awed by the expression of his mysterious visage.

Translations

Arabic: �تجرع
French: boire cul sec
mid
Italian: sbevazzare
Portuguese: libar
Spanish: libar

Noun
en-noun

1. The act of quaffing, a deep draught.

fa:quaff
fr:quaff
io:quaff
it:quaff
ru:quaff
te:quaff
vi:quaff
zh:quaff

• 2007-11-28 20:44 - 12.106.86.230 - /* Verb */

Full Revision History