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liquor

n. C / U
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈɫɪkɝ// UK //lˈɪkɐ// liquor Archaic

n. strong alcoholic drink made by a process called distilling. Common examples include vodka, whiskey, and gin.

n. a potent alcoholic beverage produced by distillation rather than fermentation. Often used as a collective term for spirits to distinguish them from beer or wine.


SIMPLE

The store sells many types of liquor.

CONTEXTUAL

The restaurant has a license to serve beer and wine but cannot sell hard liquor.

COMPLEX

The recipe for the traditional fruitcake requires the dried currants to be soaked in high-proof liquor for several days to ensure both flavor and preservation.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English licour, from Anglo-Norman licour, from Latin liquor (“fluidity, liquidness, a fluid, a liquid”), from liquere (“to be fluid or liquid”); see liquid. Doublet of liqueur.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the substance in general; countable when referring to specific types or varieties.

Pitfall

He drank too many liquorsHe drank too much liquorWhen referring to the amount of alcohol consumed, the word is uncountable; the plural 'liquors' usually refers to different brands or categories.

Idioms2 entries

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