Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1500-1600
Language: Medieval Latin
Origin: 'fine powder, liquid made by a purifying process', from Old Spanish, from Arabic al-kuhul 'the powdered antimony (= a type of metal)'

alcohol

 noun
     
Related topics: Drink, Chemistry
al‧co‧hol W3
1 [uncountable] drinks such as beer or wine that contain a substance which can make you drunk:
I don't drink alcohol anymore.
alcohol abuse (=when someone drinks too much)
people with alcohol problems (=people who drink too much)
2 [uncountable and countable] the chemical substance in alcoholic drinks that can make you drunk, which is also used in other types of products:
low alcohol drinks
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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