noun

1. a colorless, volatile, pungent liquid, CHOH: it can be burned as fuel (10-15% of gasohol), is used in industry and medicine, and is the intoxicating element of whiskey, wine, beer, and other fermented or distilled liquors: classed as a depressant drug
   also called ethyl alcohol
2. any intoxicating liquor with this liquid in it
3. the drinking of such liquors alcohol was his downfall
4. a class of organic compounds, including ethyl or methyl (wood) alcohol, that contain one or more hydroxyl groups (OH) and form esters in reactions with acids

Etymology: ML, term used by Philippus Aureolus Paracelsus for fine powder, distilled spirit < Ar alkuḥl, antimony powder, collyrium < al, the + kuḥl, kohl