† ˈnippitate, n. Obs.
Also -ato, -atum, -aty, (-ati).
[Of obscure origin. The Latin and Italian endings are prob. only fanciful. The most usual form is that in -aty.]
Good ale or other liquor of prime quality and strength.
| α 1575 Laneham Lett. (1871) 31 Az yet too the tast of a cup of Nippitate, his iudgement will be taken aboue the best in the parish. |
| β 1576 U. Fulwell Art Flattery i. v. (1579) E iv b, The best Nippitatum in this towne, which is commonly called Hufcap. 1583 Stubbes Anat. Abuses E vij b, Though it will be a corrosive to their hautie stomacks and a nippitatum to their tender brests. Ibid. M iv b, When this Nippitatum, this Huf cap (as they call it), and this nectar of lyfe, is set abroach, well is he that can get the soonest to it. |
| γ 1593 G. Harvey Pierce's Super. 16 The nippitaty of the nappiest grape. Ibid. 63. 1600 Nashe Summer's Last Will in Hazl. Dodsley VIII. 60 Never cap of Nipitaty in London came near thy niggardly habitation! 1630 Tincker of Turvey Ep. Ded. 4 He loves that ale-house best, which washes his cheekes with the strongest nippitaty. a 1693 Urquhart's Rabelais, Pantagr. Prognost. ix, 'Tis all one to me, so we have but good Bub and Nippitati enough. |
| δ 1611 Beaum. & Fl. Kt. Burning Pestle iv. ii, My father oft will tell me of a drinke In England found, and Nipitato cal'd. 1620 Melton Astrolog. 32 They cannot put a Cup of Nippitato to their Snowts. |
Hence
† nippitate a., strong, good, prime.
Obs.| 1600 Look About You xxi. in Hazl. Dodsley VII. 445 He was here to-day, sir, And emptied two bottles of nippitate sack. 1600 Weakest goeth to Wall (1618) B 2 Fresh ale, prime ale, nappie ale, nippitate ale! a 1634 Chapman Alphonsus Plays 1873 III. 238 'Twill make a cup of Wine taste nippitate. |