liquor

plural liquors · alternative obsolete liquour · alternative pronunciation spelling liqa · alternative pronunciation spelling liquuh

1. countableobsoleteuncountableA liquid, a fluid.

   Thus Water also, or any other Liquor, included in a convenient vessel, by being warmed, manifestly expands it self with a very great violence […]

   1665, Robert Hooke, Micrographia

   1 more example

   Dreaming when Dawn's Left Hand was in the Sky I heard a Voice within the Tavern cry, "Awake, my Little ones, and fill the Cup Before Life's Liquor in its Cup be dry."

   1859, Edward Fitzgerald, The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám: The Astronomer-Poet of Persia, page 1

2. countableobsoleteuncountableA beverage, any drinkable liquid.

   Synonyms: beverage, beveridge, drink, libation, potable, potation

3. countableuncountableA liquid obtained by cooking meat or vegetables (or both).

   Synonyms: stock, pot liquor, broth, bouillon

4. UKcountableuncountablecookingA parsley sauce commonly served with traditional pies and mash.
5. AustraliaCanadaUScountableuncountableStrong (high-ABV) alcoholic drink derived from fermentation and distillation.

   Here the proprietor has had the good sense of holding on to the good old fashion of giving his customers their moneyworth of good wines and liquors.

   1879, Chas. McArmor, The New Handbook of Vienna […] , 2nd edition, Otto Maass, page 106

   Synonyms: spirits, booze, hard liquor, hard drink, strong drink, aqua vitae, water of life

6. broadlycountableuncountableAny alcoholic beverage.

   Synonyms: adult beverage, alcohol, bevvy, booze, carouse, drink, fuddling, grog

7. countableuncountableIn 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.
8. countableuncountableA liquid in which something has been steeped.

present singular third person liquors · participle present liquoring · participle past liquored · past liquored · alternative obsolete liquour · alternative pronunciation spelling liqa · alternative pronunciation spelling liquuh

1. intransitiveTo drink liquor, usually to excess.
2. transitiveTo cause someone to drink liquor, usually to excess.
3. obsoletetransitiveTo grease.

   Liquor fishermen's boots.

   c. 1597 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merry Wiues of Windsor”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene v]

   1 more example

   cart-wheels squeak not when they are liquored

   1627 (indicated as 1626), Francis [Bacon], “II. Century.”, in Sylua Syluarum: Or A Naturall Historie. In Ten Centuries. […], London: […] William Rawley […]; [p]rinted by J[ohn] H[aviland] for William Lee […], →OCLC