'Vinegar eel' definitions:

Definition of 'vinegar eel'

noun

Minute eelworm that feeds on organisms that cause fermentation in e.g. vinegar [syn: vinegar eel, vinegar worm, Anguillula aceti, Turbatrix aceti]

From: GCIDE

Vinegar \Vin"e*gar\, n. [OE. vinegre, F. vinaigre; vin wine (L. vinum) + aigre sour. See Wine, and Eager, a.]
1. A sour liquid used as a condiment, or as a preservative, and obtained by the spontaneous (acetous) fermentation, or by the artificial oxidation, of wine, cider, beer, or the like. [1913 Webster]
Note: The characteristic sourness of vinegar is due to acetic acid, of which it contains from three to five per cent. Wine vinegar contains also tartaric acid, citric acid, etc. [1913 Webster]
2. Hence, anything sour; -- used also metaphorically. [1913 Webster]
Here's the challenge: . . . I warrant there's vinegar and pepper in't. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
Aromatic vinegar, strong acetic acid highly flavored with aromatic substances.
Mother of vinegar. See 4th Mother.
Radical vinegar, acetic acid.
Thieves' vinegar. See under Thief.
Vinegar eel (Zool.), a minute nematode worm ({Leptodera oxophila}, or Anguillula acetiglutinis), commonly found in great numbers in vinegar, sour paste, and other fermenting vegetable substances; -- called also {vinegar worm}.
Vinegar lamp (Chem.), a fanciful name of an apparatus designed to oxidize alcohol to acetic acid by means of platinum.
Vinegar plant. See 4th Mother.
Vinegar tree (Bot.), the stag-horn sumac (Rhus typhina), whose acid berries have been used to intensify the sourness of vinegar.
Wood vinegar. See under Wood. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Eel \Eel\, n. [AS. ?l; akin to D., G., & Dan. aal, Icel. [=a]ll, Sw. [*a]l.] (Zo["o]l.) An elongated fish of many genera and species. The common eels of Europe and America belong to the genus Anguilla. The electrical eel is a species of Gymnotus. The so called vinegar eel is a minute nematode worm. See Conger eel, Electric eel, and Gymnotus. [1913 Webster]