Forms: 6 aleger, alligar, 6–7 all-, aliger, 7 alegre, 8 aleager, 6– alegar. [f. (after vinegar) ALE + egre, eger, EAGER, = Fr. aigre sharp, sour.] Sour ale; vinegar formed by the acetous fermentation of ale; malt-vinegar.
1542. Boorde, Dyetary, xxxiv. (1870), 296. Soure and tarte thynges, as venegre and aleger [v.r. alceger, alegar].
1586. Cogan, Haven Health (1636), 189. Some make it of Ale onely … but that is rather Aliger than Vinegar.
1598. Florio, Agresto … vertiuice, alligar.
1598. Stow, Surv. (ed. Strype, 1754), II. V. xv. 324/2. Corrupt Vinegar, Beeregre, and Alegre.
1741. Compl. Fam.-Piece, I. iii. 218. Boil Alegar, scum it, and pour it over them.
1837. Carlyle, Fr. Rev., I. IV. iv. 200. Whose small soul, transparent wholesome-looking as small ale, could by no chance ferment into virulent alegar?… We shall see.
1881. Evans, Leicestersh. Gloss., s.v., Alegar is to ale what vinegar is to wine. The old home-made article is now seldom procurable.
