poteen

[ puh-teen, -cheen, -theen, poh- ]

noun

1. the first distillation of a fermented mash in the making of whiskey.
2. illicitly distilled whiskey.

poteen

/ pɒˈtiːn /

noun

1. (in Ireland) illicit spirit, often distilled from potatoes

Word History and Origins

Origin of poteen¹

1805–15; < Irish poitín literally, small pot, diminutive of pota pot ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of poteen¹

C19: from Irish poitín little pot, from pota pot

Example Sentences

Oxford Crown Court jurors heard how Mr Farquhar's drinks were spiked with bioethanol and poteen, a high strength Irish alcohol, while his food was laced with drugs.

From BBC

Her nurse's shebeen--a tumble-down festering hostelry thatched with decaying straw--was no better than a dog-boy's boozing ken, a disgraceful trysting-place for drunken soldiers, who were enticed thither by its excellent poteen.

From Project Gutenberg

‘Howsomever, don’t be downhearted, but take a good drop of poteen, and ‘twill give you all the false courage that any man wants.’

From Project Gutenberg

"And this I take to be as free of any allegiance to the king as yourself," said Daly, as he poured out a wineglass-ful of "poteen" from a short black bottle.

From Project Gutenberg

"Mutton always—fish and game when there's the season for them—and poteen to wash them down."

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• alcohol
• drink
• liquor
• spirits