rock watern.
/ˈrɒk ˌwɔːtə/, U.S. /ˈrɑk ˌwɑdər/, /ˈrɑk ˌwɔdər/ Water issuing from a spring beneath rocks, typically viewed as naturally clear, cool, and pure.
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the world > the earth > water > body of water > spring water > [noun] > water issuing from a rock
rock water1599
1599 R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations II. 107 Those of Tanaseri are chiefly fraighted with Rice and Nipar wine, which is very strong, and in colour like vnto rocke water somewhat whitish.
1606 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) ii. iii. 55 Christ-Typing Manna, Quailes, Rock-waters fall.
1650 J. Trapp Clavis to Bible (Deut. xxviii. 2) 133 As the rock-water followed the Israelites in the wilderness.
1705 J. Addison Remarks Italy 461 It was extreamly muddy at its Entrance..though as clear as Rock Water at its going out.
1773 R. Graves Spiritual Quixote I. iv. xv. 260 I don't pretend to live upon roots and rock-water.
1838 J. Pardoe River & Desart I. 159 A delicious fountain, into whose basin the sparkling rock-water is poured.
1860 H. E. P. Spofford Sir Rohan's Ghost iv. 84 Just above Mr. Redruth's head stood..a carabas of Shiraz wine. ‘It is as sparkling and transparent as rockwater,’ said Mr. Redruth.
1948 F. Blake Johnny Christmas i. 40 Yet in this utter lack of sound, except for the sputter of flames and the musical seep of rock-water, Johnny came alert, strangely, as if awakened by a thin cry of warning.
1985 H. C. MacCullough tr. Kokin Wakashū 225 Fated, I had thought, to remain as unnoticed as clear rock waters.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2010; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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