Liquor

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈlɪ.kÉ™(ɹ)/
• US IPA: /ˈlɪ.kÉš/
• Homophones: licker

Alternative forms

• liquour obsolete

Origin

From Middle English, from licor, from Anglo-Norman licour, from Latin liquor ("fluidity, liquidness, a fluid, a liquid"), from liquere ("to be fluid or liquid"); see liquid.

Full definition of liquor

Noun

1. (obsolete) A liquid.
2. (obsolete) A drinkable liquid.
3. A liquid obtained by cooking meat or vegetables (or both).
4. (chiefly US) Strong alcoholic drink derived from fermentation and distillation.
5. In process industry, a liquid in which a desired reaction takes place, e.g. pulping liquor is a mixture of chemicals and water which breaks wood into its components, thus facilitating the extraction of cellulose.

Synonyms

• (strong alcoholic drink) spirits (British and Australasian English)
• (liquid obtained by cooking food) stock, pot liquor (American English), broth, bouillon

Derived terms

Related terms

Verb

1. (intransitive) To drink liquor, usually to excess.
2. (transitive) To cause someone to drink liquor, usually to excess.
3. (obsolete, transitive) To grease.
• ShakespeareLiquor fishermen's boots.