The precise origin of the name spirits which is commonly given to alcoholic beverage is unknown. However, the words "alembic" and "alcohol", as well as possibly the metaphors aqua vitæ (meaning "life-water") and "spirit" given to the distilled product, may stem from Middle Eastern alchemy.Distilled alcohol was first noted in Europe among alchemists during the mid 12th century. These alchemists were more involved in medical "elixirs" than in creating gold from lead.The term spirit is Middle English with its roots in Anglo-French or Latin; it stems from the Anglo-French term espirit, spirit; and from the Latin word spiritus, which literally means breath; from the term spirare, meaning to blow, breathe.The term spirits is typically give to those distilled beverages which are low in sugars and which contain a minimum of thirty five per cent alcohol by volume. Some of the common types of spirits include Gin, vodka and rum.