Supernaculum

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Supernaculum \Su`per*nac"u*lum\, adv. & n. [NL., from L. super
     over + G. nagel, a nail, as of the finger, or a corruption of
     L. super and ungulam claw.]
     1. 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.                          --Nash.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Good liquor, of which not enough is left to wet one's
        nail. --Grose.
        [1913 Webster]