■ noun
1》 a colourless volatile flammable liquid which is the intoxicating constituent of wine, beer, spirits, etc. Also called ethanol , ethyl ~ . [C 2 H 5 OH.]
2》 drink containing ~.
3》 Chemistry any organic compound containing a hydroxyl group ‒OH: propyl ~.
Origin
C16 (in the sense 'a fine powder, especially kohl, produced by sublimation', later 'distilled spirit'): Fr., or from med. L., from Arab. al-kuḥl 'the kohl'.