Whisky

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈwɪski/, /ˈʍɪski/
• Hyphenation: whis + ky

Alternative forms

• whiskey Ireland, US

Origin

Early 18th century. Variant of usque, abbreviation of usquebaugh (compare obsolete whiskybae). From Scottish Gaelic uisge-beatha and Irish uisce beatha ("water of life"). Compare aquavit, from Latin aqua vitae ("water of life").

Full definition of whisky

Noun

1. (chiefly UK and Canada) An alcoholic liquor distilled from fermented grain and usually aged in in oak barrels.
2. (chiefly UK and Canada) A drink of this liquor.
• 1918, W. B. Maxwell, The Mirror and the Lamp Chapter 2, That the young Mr. Churchills liked—but they did not like him coming round of an evening and drinking weak whisky-and-water while he held forth on railway debentures and corporation loans. Mr. Barrett, however, by fawning and flattery, seemed to be able to make not only Mrs. Churchill but everyone else do what he desired.

Usage notes

The regional spellings whisky and whiskey are also used world-wide to distinguish regional drinks, for example Scotch whisky, but bourbon whiskey.