liquor

[ lik-er lik-wawr ]

noun

1. a distilled or spirituous beverage, as brandy or whiskey, as distinguished from a fermented beverage, as wine or beer.
2. any liquid substance, as broth from cooked meats or vegetables.

   Synonyms: juice

3. Pharmacology. solution ( def 6 ).
4. a solution of a substance, especially a concentrated one used in the industrial arts.

verb (used with object)

1. Informal. to furnish or ply with liquor to drink (often followed by up ).

verb (used without object)

1. Informal. to drink large quantities of liquor (often followed by up ).

liquor

/ ˈlɪkə /

noun

1. any alcoholic drink, esp spirits, or such drinks collectively
2. any liquid substance, esp that in which food has been cooked
3. pharmacol a solution of a pure substance in water
4. brewing warm water added to malt to form wort
5. in liquor
   drunk; intoxicated

verb

1. brewing to steep (malt) in warm water to form wort; mash

Other Words From

• liquor·y adjective
• anti·liquor adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of liquor¹

1175–1225; < Latin: a liquid, originally liquidity ( liqu ( ēre ) to be liquid + -or -or ¹ ); replacing Middle English lic ( o ) ur < Old French ( French liqueur ) < Latin liquōrem, accusative of liquor

Word History and Origins

Origin of liquor¹

C13: via Old French from Latin, from liquēre to be liquid

Example Sentences

Indonesia is regarded as a hotspot – it has reported the highest number of incidents in the past two decades, according to MSF, largely down to the widespread production and consumption of bootleg liquor.

From BBC

Bootleg liquor producers sometimes add it to their drinks, however, as a cheap way to increase alcohol content.

From BBC

Washington said he often ordered two bottles of wine at a time from a liquor store on Sunset Boulevard.

From Los Angeles Times

Use up to 3 1/2 to 4 cups oyster liquor.

From Salon

In August, Norwalk’s City Council passed a law banning the facilities along with new laundromats, liquor stores and payday lenders until at least next summer.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• alcohol
• booze
• whiskey