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

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

From Salon

Add chicken broth to liquor to make 5 cups total of liquid, and set aside.

From Salon

Add combined oyster liquor and chicken broth, bay leaf, and a handful of chopped green parts of green onions, and bring to a low boil.

From Salon

The need for additional salt can change quite a lot according to your proportion of chicken broth to oyster liquor.

From Salon

If your seafood shop dips the oysters from a gallon container, you can ask for an additional pint of liquor to use in your soup.

From Salon

Related Words

• alcohol
• booze
• whiskey