n. [ Cf. F. alcool, formerly written alcohol, Sp. alcohol alcohol, antimony, galena, OSp. alcofol; all fr. Ar. al-kohl a powder of antimony or galena, to paint the eyebrows with. The name was afterwards applied, on account of the fineness of this powder, to highly rectified spirits, a signification unknown in Arabia. The Sp. word has both meanings. Cf. Alquifou. ] 1. An impalpable powder. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The fluid essence or pure spirit obtained by distillation. [ Obs. ] Boyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Pure spirit of wine; pure or highly rectified spirit (called also ethyl alcohol or ethanol, CH3.CH2.OH); the spirituous or intoxicating element of fermented or distilled liquors, or more loosely a liquid containing it in considerable quantity. It is extracted by simple distillation from various vegetable juices and infusions of a saccharine nature, which have undergone vinous fermentation. [ The ferementation is usually carried out by addition of brewer's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae to an aqueous solution containing carbohydrates. ] [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

☞ As used in the U. S. “Pharmacopœia, ” alcohol contains 91 per cent by weight of ethyl alcohol and 9 per cent of water; and diluted alcohol (proof spirit) contains 45.5 per cent by weight of ethyl alcohol and 54.5 per cent of water. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Organic Chem.) A class of compounds analogous to vinic alcohol in constitution. Chemically speaking, they are hydroxides of certain organic radicals; as, the radical ethyl forms common or ethyl alcohol (C2H5.OH); methyl forms methyl alcohol (CH3.OH) or wood alcohol; amyl forms amyl alcohol (C5H11.OH) or fusel oil, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. alcolaie. ] (Chem.) A crystallizable compound of a salt with alcohol, in which the latter plays a part analogous to that of water of crystallization. Graham. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. alcoolature. ] (Med.) An alcoholic tincture prepared with fresh plants. New Eng. Dict. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. alcolique. ] Of or pertaining to alcohol, or partaking of its qualities; derived from, or caused by, alcohol; containing alcohol; as, alcoholic mixtures; alcoholic gastritis; alcoholic odor. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. A person given to the use of alcoholic liquors. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. pl. Alcoholic liquors. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. alcoolisme. ] 1. (Med.) Chronic excessive drinking of alcoholic beverages that leads to social, occupational, psychological and physiological problems. [ AS ]

2. (Med.) Psychological and physiological dependence on alcohol; sudden cessation of drinking may lead to withdrawal symptoms. [ AS + PJC ]

n. [ Cf. F. alcoolisation. ] 1. The act of reducing a substance to a fine or impalpable powder. [ Obs. ] Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The act rectifying spirit. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Saturation with alcohol; putting the animal system under the influence of alcoholic liquor. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Alcoholized p. pr. & vb. n. Alcoholizing. ] [ Cf. F. alcooliser. ] 1. To reduce to a fine powder. [ Obs. ] Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To convert into alcohol; to rectify; also, to saturate with alcohol. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. [ Alcohol + -meter. ] (Chem.) An instrument for determining the strength of spirits, with a scale graduated so as to indicate the percentage of pure alcohol, either by weight or volume. It is usually a form of hydrometer with a special scale. [ 1913 Webster ]

/mhw>, a. Relating to the alcoholometer or alcoholometry. [ 1913 Webster ]

The alcoholometrical strength of spirituous liquors. Ure. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The process or method of ascertaining the proportion of pure alcohol which spirituous liquors contain. [ 1913 Webster ]

. (Org. Chem.) Any of eight isomeric liquid alcohols (C5H11.OH), transparent, colorless liquids. It is the hydroxide of amyl. Also called amylic alcohol. The amyl alcohol obtained from fusel oil is mostly isoamyl alcohol (3-methyl-1-butanol or 1-hydroxy-3-methylbutane), with some sec-amyl alcohol (2-methyl-1-butanol or 2-pentanol), and has a characteristic peculiar odor. Other than n-amyl alcohol (also called 1-pentanol) the other isomeric pentanols are not usually refered to as amyl alcohol. The amyl alcohol mixture in fusel oil forms a colorless liquid with a peculiar cough-exciting odor and burning taste. It is used as a source of amyl compounds, such as amyl acetate, amyl nitrite, etc. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC ]

n. (Chem.) the organic compound C2H5.OH, which is the intoxicating agent in beer, wine, and other fermented and distilled liquors; it is used pure or denatured as a solvent or in medicines and colognes and cleaning solutions and rocket fuel.
Syn. -- ethanol, fermentation alcohol, grain alcohol. [ WordNet 1.5 ]