Definitions for: Alcohol


[n] a liquor or brew containing alcohol as the active agent; "alcohol (or drink) ruined him"
[n] any of a series of volatile hydroxyl compounds that are made from hydrocarbons by distillation



Webster (1913) Definition: Al"co*hol ([a^]l"k[-o]*h[o^]l), n. [Cf. F. alcool,
formerly written alcohol, Sp. alcohol alcohol, antimony,
galena, OSp. alcofol; all fr. Ar. al-kohl a powder of
antimony or galena, to paint the eyebrows with. The name was
afterwards applied, on account of the fineness of this
powder, to highly rectified spirits, a signification unknown
in Arabia. The Sp. word has both meanings. Cf. Alquifou.]
1. An impalpable powder. [Obs.]

2. The fluid essence or pure spirit obtained by distillation.
[Obs.] --Boyle.

3. Pure spirit of wine; pure or highly rectified spirit
(called also ethyl alcohol); the spirituous or
intoxicating element of fermented or distilled liquors, or
more loosely a liquid containing it in considerable
quantity. It is extracted by simple distillation from
various vegetable juices and infusions of a saccharine
nature, which have undergone vinous fermentation.

Note: As used in the U. S. ``Pharmacop[oe]ia,'' alcohol
contains 91 per cent by weight of ethyl alcohol and 9
per cent of water; and diluted alcohol (proof spirit)
contains 45.5 per cent by weight of ethyl alcohol and
54.5 per cent of water.

4. (Organic Chem.) A class of compounds analogous to vinic
alcohol in constitution. Chemically speaking, they are
hydroxides of certain organic radicals; as, the radical
ethyl forms common or ethyl alcohol (C2H5.OH); methyl
forms methyl alcohol (CH3.OH) or wood spirit; amyl
forms amyl alcohol (C5H11.OH) or fusel oil, etc.

Synonyms: alcoholic beverage, inebriant, intoxicant

See Also: 1-dodecanol, allyl alcohol, amyl alcohol, aperitif, beverage, booze, brew, brewage, butanol, butyl alcohol, cordial, cyclohexanol, dihydric alcohol, diol, drink, drinkable, drug of abuse, ethanol, ethyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, fermentation alcohol, glycerin, glycerine, glycerol, glycol, grain alcohol, hard cider, hard drink, hard liquor, home brew, hooch, hootch, isopropanol, isopropyl alcohol, John Barleycorn, kava, kavakava, koumiss, kumis, lauryl alcohol, liqueur, liquid, liquor, malt, malt liquor, methanol, methyl alcohol, mixed drink, neutral spirits, nipa, perry, potable, proof spirit, propanol, propenyl alcohol, propyl alcohol, pulque, rotgut, spirits, spruce beer, steroid alcohol, sterol, street drug, strong drink, vino, wine, wood alcohol, wood spirit

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