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wine

n. · v.
US //ˈwaɪn// UK //wˈaɪn// wine
  1. 1 alcoholic drink (n.)
    A1 Beginner

    an alcoholic drink made from the juice of grapes.

    an alcoholic beverage produced by the fermentation of grape juice, typically categorized by color and sugar content.

    Example

    They shared a bottle of white wine with their dinner.

    Example

    The sommelier recommended a dry white wine to complement the acidity of the lemon-butter sauce used in the seafood dish.

  2. 2 fruit-based drink (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    an alcoholic drink made from other fruits or plants, like elderflower or rice.

    an alcoholic beverage produced by fermenting the juice of fruits other than grapes, or certain botanical substances.

    Example

    My grandfather used to make his own plum wine every summer.

    Example

    While traditionalists focus on grapes, many regional cultures have long histories of producing sophisticated wines from berries, stone fruits, and even honey.

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  1. 3 a color (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a dark, deep reddish-purple color.

    a deep, dark reddish-purple hue resembling the appearance of red wine.

    Example

    She wore a beautiful wine-colored dress to the wedding.

    Example

    The interior designer suggested wine upholstery for the armchairs to provide a warm contrast against the cool grey walls of the study.

  2. 4 to entertain (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to give someone expensive food and drink to make them happy.

    to entertain someone with food and drink, often as a means of persuasion or hospitality; usually appears in the phrase 'wine and dine'.

    Example

    The company wined and dined the new clients at the best restaurant in town.

    Example

    The firm spent a significant portion of its marketing budget to wine and dine potential investors during the week-long conference.

    Usage

    Commonly used in the transitive phrase 'wine and dine' followed by an object.

  3. 5 dance (v.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Dialect

    to move your hips in a circular way to music.

    to perform a rhythmic dance move involving the circular rotation of the hips and waist.

    Example

    Everyone started to wine when the DJ played the popular reggae track.

    Example

    The dancers demonstrated an impressive ability to wine in perfect synchronization with the heavy bassline of the soca music.

    Usage

    Intransitive verb common in Caribbean English and dancehall culture.

    • gyrate
Etymology 1

From Middle English wyn, win, from Old English wīn, from Proto-West Germanic wīn, from Proto-Germanic wīną, either directly or via Latin vīnum (from Proto-Italic wīnom) from Proto-Indo-European wóyh₁nom (“wine”). Doublet of vine and vino.

Etymology 2

A variant of wind with simplification of the final consonant cluster; for the vowel quality, compare find, mind, rind.

Etymology 3

From Jamaican Creole [Term?], related to wind (verb).

Word family
Idioms7 entries

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