[al.co.hol] n [NL, fr. ML, powdered antimony, fr. OSp, fr. Ar al-kuhul the powdered antimony, fr. kuhl kohl] (1672) 1 a: ethanol esp. when considered as the intoxicating agent in fermented and distilled liquors b: drink (as whiskey or beer) containing ethanol c: a mixture of ethanol and water that is usu. 95 percent ethanol
2: any of various compounds that are analogous to ethanol in constitution and that are hydroxyl derivatives of hydrocarbons