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

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

The law not only prohibits the construction of shelters and homeless housing, but also blocks new laundromats, liquor stores, payday lenders and other businesses that predominantly serve the poor.

From Los Angeles Times

Samer Issa said four suspects were recently arrested in a series of robberies and burglaries that removed the machines with brute force at liquor stores in the Mission Hills and West Valley area.

From Los Angeles Times

Traditionally, it consisted of a savoury pie filled with minced beef, served with mashed potatoes and a parsley liquor.

From BBC

Related Words

• alcohol
• booze
• whiskey