English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From Middle English malvesye, malvesyn, from Anglo-Norman malvesey, malvoisin and Middle French malvoisie (which the modern form is influenced by), from Italian malvasia, from Ancient Greek Μονεμβασία (Monembasía, Monemvasia, a city on the Peloponnese), from μόνος (mónos, only one) + ἔμβασις (émbasis, entering into, ἐν + βάσις). Doublet of Monemvasia. Compare malmsey.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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malvoisie (countable and uncountable, plural malvoisies)

  1. Synonym of malmsey (wine)
    • 1852, The Royalist and the Republican, volume 1, page 108:
      Now this Malvoisie has a body, and slips down the red lane with an unctuous savour; []
    • 1991, Stephen Fry, chapter XIV, in Liar:
      Adrian stood and refilled Shelagh's glass. ‘A little more malvoisie for you?’
    • 2011, Thomas Penn, Winter King, Penguin, published 2012, page 217:
      There, gifts were exchanged [] and Philip's mistrels performed in front of the king's mother who sat, appreciative, her customary glass of malvesey to hand.