absinthe

or ab·sinth

[ ab-sinth ]

noun

1. a green, aromatic liqueur that is 68 percent alcohol, is made with wormwood and other herbs, and has a bitter, licorice flavor.
2. wormwood ( def 2 ).

absinthe

/ ˈæbsɪnθ /

noun

1. a potent green alcoholic drink, technically a gin, originally having high wormwood content
2. another name for wormwood

Other Words From

• ab·sin·thi·al [ab-, sin, -thee-, uh, l]; ab·sin·thi·an adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of absinthe¹

1605–15; < French < Latin absinthium wormwood < Greek apsínthion

Word History and Origins

Origin of absinthe¹

C15: via French and Latin from Greek apsinthion wormwood

Example Sentences

“L’Absinthe” by Edgar Degas pictured what she called a “tapped out” woman with a glass of the infamous green spirit on a table before her.

From New York Times

There was the Sazerac, of course, in which the ingredients are stirred with ice to temper the burn of the high-proof rye and absinthe while melding the flavors.

From Scientific American

The event's pop-up bar boasted a handful of cocktails, including "Death in the Afternoon," whose ingredients were listed as "Champagne, Absinthe, and Ennui," the latter of which greatly cheered up the goth in me.

From Salon

I wasn't ready for how much I loved absinthe.

From Salon

In 2007, challenges to the absinthe ban were raised and countries began to repeal the ban.

From Salon