moonshine

[ moon-shahyn ]

noun

1. Informal. smuggled or illicitly distilled liquor, especially corn liquor as illicitly distilled chiefly in rural areas of the southern U.S.
2. empty or foolish talk, ideas, etc.; nonsense.
3. the light of the moon; moonlight.

moonshine

/ ˈmuːnˌʃaɪn /

noun

1. another word for moonlight
2. illegally distilled or smuggled whisky or other spirit
3. foolish talk or thought

Word History and Origins

Origin of moonshine¹

1375–1425; late Middle English: moonlight. See moon, shine ¹,

Example Sentences

Following the shocking reveal that Hetty’s son was responsible for murdering Alberta with a bottle of strychnine-laced moonshine, Pinnock relished the opportunity to play a more romantic side of Alberta this season.

From Los Angeles Times

Luckily, her neighbors stopped her on Wednesday and calmed her by giving her a local moonshine called “Changaa” popular in rural and low-income areas of the capital.

From Seattle Times

As she sings in "American Requiem" against reverberating acoustic guitar and piercing vocals, she is the "grandbaby of a moonshine man" in Gadsden, Alabama.

From Salon

We bought a truly magnificent apple pie moonshine and a few other bottles that we’re enjoying slowly to this day.

From Salon

Laslo took a shot of moonshine from the bottle in his desk and left with another reporter at 3:54 p.m.

From Los Angeles Times