Oenomel

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A sweet drink made by blending wine with honey, known since ancient Greek and Roman times
2. An ancient beverage combining fermented grape wine and honey into a single mixed drink
3. A honeyed wine mixture traditionally prepared and drunk in the classical Mediterranean world

Etymology: Oenomel is a compound built from two classical roots: "oeno-", from Greek "oinos" meaning wine, and Latin "mel", meaning honey. Its literal sense is therefore a mixture of wine and honey, the drink the Romans knew as "mulsum," which was wine sweetened with honey and often served before a meal. The pairing of the two roots is the interesting part, since each half names a substance that was central to ancient drinking and sweetening. Honey was the main sweetener available before cane sugar reached Europe, so combining it with wine gave a drink whose name simply lists its two ingredients, much as English compounds often do.