alcohol
alcohol definition
al·co·hol (al′kə hôl′, -häl′)
noun
- 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 drugalso called ethyl alcohol
- any intoxicating liquor with this liquid in it
- the drinking of such liquors alcohol was his downfall
- 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
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