Mead is a type of alcoholic beverage made from fermented honey, water and often fruits, spices or grains. It is pronounced as /miːd/, with the first sound being a long 'ee' sound, similar to the word 'me'. The spelling of the word 'mead' follows English phonetic rules. In Old English, the word was spelled 'medu' which gradually evolved to its current spelling. Today, mead is popular among craft beer and wine enthusiasts, and can be found in many varieties and styles.
Mead is a noun that typically refers to an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting honey with water, often with the addition of fruits, spices, grains, hops, or other flavorings. With its origins dating back to ancient times, mead is considered one of the oldest known alcoholic beverages consumed by humans. It is produced through a process known as mead-making or mazerating, where the honey is combined with water and yeast, allowing the mixture to ferment over time.
The taste of mead can range from sweet to dry, and it often carries the distinct flavor of honey, though variations in ingredients can result in a wide range of flavors and aromas. Mead can be still, carbonated, or naturally sparkling, and it may have different alcohol levels depending on the fermentation process.
Throughout history, mead has been associated with various cultures, mythology, and traditions. It has often been regarded as a drink of celebration, used in ceremonies, festivals, weddings, or rituals. In addition to its historical significance, mead has gained popularity as a craft beverage in modern times, with numerous meaderies and homebrewers experimenting with different styles and flavors.
In summary, mead is an alcoholic beverage made from fermenting honey with water and often additional ingredients. With a rich history and diverse flavors, mead holds a special place as one of the oldest and most revered beverages in human culture.
• A liquor made of honey and water fermented and flavoured.
• A poetic form for meadow, which see.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "mead" has its origins in Old English, where it was spelled as "meodu". However, the Old English term itself was derived from the Proto-Germanic word "meduz", which also meant "mead". This Proto-Germanic term is believed to come from the Proto-Indo-European root word "*médhu", which had a similar meaning and is also the source of other related words in different languages. For instance, in Old Norse, the word "mjöðr" was used to refer to mead, while in Old Irish, "mid" had a similar meaning. Overall, the word "mead" has been used for centuries across various ancient Germanic and Indo-European languages, and its etymology can be traced back to a shared ancestral root word.