‖ kvass
(kvas)
Forms: 6–9 quass(e, 8 quas, 8–9 quash, 9 kuass, kvass, kvas.
[Russ. kvas ‘leaven, kvass’.]
A fermented beverage in general use in Russia, commonly made from an infusion of rye-flour or bread with malt; rye beer.
| c 1553 Chancelour Bk. Emp. Russia in Hakluyt Voy. (1886) III. 51 Their drinke is like our peny Ale, and is called Quass. 1608 Heywood Rape Lucrece iv. i. Wks. 1874 V. 216 The Russe drinkes quasses. 1609 Pimlyco (N.), The base quasse by peasants drunk. 1753 Hanway Trav. (1762) I. v. lxi. 283 Beer, quash, and bad wine. 1778 Phil. Trans. LXVIII. 672 The drink..was quas or sour small beer. 1823 Mechanics' Mag. No. 4. 58 The common drink of the Russians is kuass, which is not so good as our small beer. 1863 Mrs. Atkinson Tartar Steppes 232 They have bread in unlimited quantity, quass,..farinaceous food. 1894 Garnett tr. Turgenev's Ho. Gentlefolk 121 ‘Fetch the kvas’, repeats the same woman's voice. |