n. 1. A sweet cordial flavored with fruit kernels or almonds. 2. A biscuit flavored with ratafia. [French, perhaps (via West Indian Creole tafiat, formula used to toast a person's health) from New Latin *rata fiat (rēs or conventiō), let (the thing or the agreement) be confirmed (from the practice of concluding a contract with a drink ) : Latin rata, feminine of ratus, past participle of rērī, to reckon, settle; see RATE1 + Latin fiat, let it be done, third person singular present subjunctive of fierī, to become, be done; see FIAT.] |
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