whisky
whisky
UK[ˈwɪski]US[ˈwɪski]
n
an alcoholic drink made from grain, especially malted barley, and typically aged in oak barrels.
n
a serving or type of this drink.
Etymology
the word 'whisky' originates from the scottish gaelic phrase 'uisge beatha', which translates literally to 'water of life'. this phrase is a calque of the latin 'aqua vitae', a term used in medieval europe for distilled spirits believed to have medicinal properties. the gaelic 'uisge' (water) evolved phonetically into 'usky' and then 'whisky' in english, with the spelling influenced by the name of the beverage. thus, the modern term for this distilled spirit carries the poetic legacy of its early perception as a vital, life-giving elixir.
Analysis
the word 'whisky' is a loanword from scottish gaelic, itself derived from a gaelic phrase. it functions as a simplex noun in english.
Examples
he poured himself a glass of single malt whisky.
scotch whisky is often distinguished by the region where it is produced.
the bar has an extensive collection of rare whiskies from around the world.