rock water

English

Alternative forms

• rockwater, rock-water

Noun

rock water (countable and uncountable, plural rock waters)

1. Spring water as issued from beneath rocks, seen as being especially pure, clean or healthy. [from 16th c.]
   • 1748, [Samuel Richardson], “Letter CCCXCV”, in Clarissa. Or, The History of a Young Lady: […], volumes (please specify |volume=I to VII), London: […] S[amuel] Richardson;  […], →OCLC:

     And here, while I am thus worthily waging war with beetles, drones, wasps, and hornets, and am all on fire with the rage of slighted love, thou art regaling thyself with phlegm and rock-water, and art going on with thy reformation scheme, and thy exultations in my misfortunes!

   • 1860, Harriet Elizabeth Prescott Spofford, Sir Rohan's Ghost:

     ‘It is as sparkling and transparent as rockwater,’ said Mr. Redruth.