English Lexicon

Alcohol

/ˈæl.kə.hɒl/
nounCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #2500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    A colorless volatile liquid that is the intoxicating constituent of wine, beer, and spirits.

    "Many people enjoy a glass of wine, which contains alcohol."
  2. 2

    Any organic compound formed by the replacement of one or more hydrogen atoms in a hydrocarbon by hydroxyl groups.

    "Ethanol is the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Derived from the Arabic definite article 'al-' combined with 'kuḥl', referring to a fine powder of antimony used as eye makeup. Through Medieval Latin 'alkohol', the meaning shifted in the 16th century via Paracelsus to denote any highly rectified spirit or fluid obtained by distillation, eventually specializing in chemistry and beverages.

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