alcohol

[al-kuh-hawl, -hol] /ˈæl kəˌhɔl, -ˌhɒl/
noun
1.
Also called ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol, ethanol, fermentation alcohol. a colorless, limpid, volatile, flammable, water-miscible liquid, C 2 H 5 OH, having an etherlike odor and pungent, burning taste, the intoxicating principle of fermented liquors, produced by yeast fermentation of certain carbohydrates, as grains, molasses, starch, or sugar, or obtained synthetically by hydration of ethylene or as a by-product of certain hydrocarbon syntheses: used chiefly as a solvent in the extraction of specific substances, in beverages, medicines, organic synthesis, lotions, tonics, colognes, rubbing compounds, as an automobile radiator antifreeze, and as a rocket fuel.
Compare denatured alcohol, methyl alcohol.
2.
whiskey, gin, vodka, or any other intoxicating liquor containing this liquid.
3.
Chemistry. any of a class of chemical compounds having the general formula ROH, where R represents an alkyl group and –OH a hydroxyl group, as in methyl alcohol, CH 3 OH, or ethyl alcohol, C 2 H 5 OH.
Origin
1535-45; < Neo-Latin < Medieval Latin < Arabic al-kuḥl the powdered antimony, the distillate
Examples from the web for alcohol
  • Many alcohol marketers have toned down what used to be a raucous spring break.
  • Like ethanol, butanol is an alcohol.
  • There are plenty of tales of animals finding some alcohol and getting tipsy.
  • The animals appear to have a high alcohol tolerance.
  • Luxembourg leads the world in alcohol consumption.
  • Overwhelmed by expectations, Herren avoided school and abused drugs and alcohol.
  • Ethyl alcohol is, of course, the chemical name for ordinary alcohol.
  • Insomniacs turn to alcohol for relief, but find none .
  • Delirium tremens is an acute episode of delirium that is usually caused by withdrawl from alcohol.
  • Simmer about 5 minutes longer, until the strong aroma of alcohol goes away.
British Dictionary definitions for alcohol

alcohol

/ˈælkəˌhɒl/
noun
1.
Also called ethanol, ethyl alcohol. a colourless flammable liquid, the active principle of intoxicating drinks, produced by the fermentation of sugars, esp glucose, and used as a solvent and in the manufacture of organic chemicals. Formula: C2H5OH
2.
a drink or drinks containing this substance
3.
(chem) any one of a class of organic compounds that contain one or more hydroxyl groups bound to carbon atoms. The simplest alcohols have the formula ROH, where R is an alkyl group Compare phenol (sense 2) See also diol, triol
Word Origin
C16: via New Latin from Medieval Latin, from Arabic al-kuhl powdered antimony; see kohl
Word Origin and History for alcohol
n.

1540s (early 15c. as alcofol), "fine powder produced by sublimation," from Medieval Latin alcohol "powdered ore of antimony," from Arabic al-kuhul "kohl," the fine metallic powder used to darken the eyelids, from kahala "to stain, paint." The al- is the Arabic definite article, "the."

"Powdered cosmetic" was the earliest sense in English; definition broadened 1670s to "any sublimated substance, the pure spirit of anything," including liquids. Modern sense of "intoxicating ingredient in strong liquor" is first recorded 1753, short for alcohol of wine, which was extended to "the intoxicating element in fermented liquors." In organic chemistry, the word was extended 1850 to the class of compounds of the same type as this.

alcohol in Medicine

alcohol al·co·hol (āl'kə-hôl')
n.

  1. Any of a series of hydroxyl compounds derived from saturated hydrocarbons, including ethanol and methanol.

  2. A colorless, volatile, flammable liquid synthesized or obtained by fermentation of sugars and starches and widely used, either pure or denatured, as a solvent and in drugs. Also called ethanol, ethyl alcohol.

  3. Intoxicating liquor containing alcohol.

alcohol in Science
alcohol
  (āl'kə-hôl')   

  1. Any of a large number of colorless, flammable organic compounds that contain the hydroxyl group (OH) and that form esters with acids. Alcohols are used as solvents and for manufacturing dyes, perfumes, and pharmaceuticals. Simple alcohols, such as methanol and ethanol, are water-soluble liquids, while more complex ones, like cetyl alcohol, are waxy solids. Names of alcohols usually end in -ol.

  2. Ethanol.