Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Alcohol
Al′co-hol
(ăl′kō̍-hŏl)
, Noun.
[Cf. F.
alcool
, formerly written alcohol
, Sp. alcohol
alcohol, antimony, galena, OSp. alcofol
; all fr. Ar. al-kohl
a powder of antimony or galena, to paint the eyebrows with. The name was afterwards applied, on account of the fineness of this powder, to highly rectified spirits, a signification unknown in Arabia. The Sp. word has both meanings. Cf. Alquifou
.] 1.
An impalpable powder.
[Obs.]
2.
The fluid essence or pure spirit obtained by distillation.
[Obs.]
Boyle.
☞ As used in the U. S. “Pharmacopœia,”
alcohol
contains 91 per cent by weight of ethyl alcohol and 9 per cent of water; and diluted alcohol (proof spirit) contains 45.5 per cent by weight of ethyl alcohol and 54.5 per cent of water. 4.
(Organic Chem.)
A class of compounds analogous to vinic alcohol in constitution. Chemically speaking, they are hydroxides of certain organic radicals;
as, the radical ethyl forms common or
ethyl alcohol
(C2H5.OH
); methyl forms methyl alcohol
(CH3.OH
) or wood alcohol
; amyl forms amyl alcohol
(C5H11.OH
) or fusel oil
, etc.Webster 1828 Edition
Alcohol
AL'COHOL
,Noun.
Pure or highly rectified spirit, obtained from formented liquors by distillation. It consists of hydrogen, carbon and oxygen. it is extremely light and inflammable, and a powerful stimulant and antiseptic. This is the usual sense of the word; but originally, in Arabic, it signified a fine impalpable powder, in which sense it is still used.