- Supernaculum
- 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]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.