alcohol
UK[ˈælkəhɒl]US[ˈælkəhɔːl]
n
a clear liquid that can make you drunk, also used as a solvent and in fuels.
n
the chemical substance in drinks such as beer, wine, etc. that can cause intoxication.
Etymology
the word 'alcohol' entered english in the 16th century via medieval latin from arabic 'al-kuḥl'. the arabic term originally referred to 'the kohl', a fine powder used as an eyeliner, derived from the root 'kḥl' meaning 'to stain, paint'. in medieval alchemy, 'alcohol' came to denote any fine powder produced by sublimation, and later, the purified essence or spirit obtained by distillation. this semantic shift from a 'powdered substance' to a 'pure distilled spirit' is a key evolution, with the term eventually narrowing to its modern primary meaning of the intoxicating component in fermented liquors.
Analysis
this word is a loanword where the morphemes from the source language are not directly recoverable or meaningful segments in modern english spelling. it is treated as a simplex form.
Examples
the doctor advised him to avoid alcohol while taking the medication.
the laboratory uses pure alcohol to sterilize the equipment.
there is a high percentage of alcohol in this distilled beverage.