Word Study
supernaculum
CIDE DICTIONARY
supernaculum, adv. & n. [NL., from L. super over + G. nagel, a nail, as of the finger, or a corruption of L. super and ungulam claw.].
- A kind of mock Latin term intended to mean, upon the nail; -- used formerly by topers. Nares. [1913 Webster]"Drinking super nagulum [supernaculum], a device of drinking, new come out of France, which is, after a man hath turned up the bottom of the cup, to drop it on his nail and make a pearl with that is left; which if it slide, and he can not make it stand on by reason there is too much, he must drink again for his penance." [1913 Webster]
- Good liquor, of which not enough is left to wet one's nail. Grose. [1913 Webster]
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