from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Alcohol \Al"co*hol\ ([a^]l"k[-o]*h[o^]l), 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.
Note: [The ferementation is usually carried out by addition
of brewer's yeast, {Saccharomyces cerevisiae} to an
aqueous solution containing carbohydrates.]
[1913 Webster +PJC]
Note: As used in the U. S. "Pharmacop[oe]ia," 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]
from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
ethanol \eth"an*ol\ ([e^]th"[a^]n*[add]l), n. (Chem.)
The organic compound {C2H5.OH}, the common {alcohol} which is
the intoxicating agent in beer, wine, and other fermented and
distilled liquors; called also {ethyl alcohol}. It is used
pure or denatured as a solvent or in medicines and colognes
and cleaning solutions, or mixed in gasoline as a fuel for
automobiles, and as a rocket fuel (as in the V-2 rocket).
Syn: ethyl alcohol, fermentation alcohol, grain alcohol.
[WordNet 1.5]
from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
ethyl alcohol \ethyl alcohol\ 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]