I. noun
or whis·ky ˈhwiskē, -ki also ˈwi-
( plural whiskeys or whiskies )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Irish Gaelic uisce beathadh & Scottish Gaelic uisge beatha, literally, water of life, from Old Irish uisce water + bethad, gen. of bethu life; akin to Greek hydōr water and to Greek bios life, mode of life — more at water , quick
1. : a distilled alcoholic liquor that is made from fermented mash of grain (as rye, corn, barley, or wheat) or potatoes and usually contains from 40 percent to 50 percent of alcohol — compare blended whiskey , bourbon 4, scotch whisky
2. : a drink of whiskey
takes an occasional whiskey
II. noun
or whisky “
( plural whiskeys or whiskies )
Etymology: whisk (II) + -y
: a gig with a small body that resembles a chair and is suspended on leather braces attached to springs — compare dennet
III.
Usage: usually capitalized
— a communications code word for the letter w