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hydromel

hydromel

9.9
A drink of honey mixed with water
  • noun
  • /ˈhaɪdrəˌmɛl/
  • Archaic
: hidromiel
  • The monks prepared hydromel by mixing fresh honey with spring water.

Examples

  • When hydromel is allowed to ferment, it turns into mead.

  • I enjoyed a glass of hydromel at the festival.

  • In ancient times, hydromel was valued for its sweetness and supposed medicinal qualities.

  • Have you ever tried hydromel?

  • The monks prepared hydromel by mixing fresh honey with spring water.

  • I enjoyed a glass of hydromel at the festival.

  • In ancient times, hydromel was valued for its sweetness and supposed medicinal qualities.

Synonyms

mead
vshydromel
14 8.7

An alcoholic drink made from honey and water, sometimes with spices or fruit

is the non fermented honey and water drink before alcohol forms
czworniak
vshydromel
9.9

A Polish alcoholic drink made with three parts water and one part honey

is the non fermented diluted honey and water drink without alcohol

How Fermented

mead
14 8.7
hydromel
  • Archaic
9.9

Surface Forms

hydromel singular
hydromels plural

Morphology

hydromel = hydro + mel

Although the word is historically built from elements meaning 'water' and 'honey', the second element is not a productive English morpheme, so most learners cannot infer the meaning from the parts.

Etymology

Hydromel comes from the parts hydro- ('water') and mel ('honey'), so it means 'honey water'. That's why hydromel is the simple drink made by mixing honey with water and, if it ferments, it becomes mead.