ALCOHOLS
Noun
alcohols
plural of alcohol
Source: Wiktionary
ALCOHOL
Al"co*hol, n. Etym: [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 bot meanings. Cf. Alquifou.]
1. An impalpable powder. [Obs.]
2. The fluid essence or pure spirit obtained by distillation. [Obs.]
Boyle.
3. Pure spirit of wine; pure or highly rectified spirit (called also
ethyl alcohol); the spirituous or intoxicating element of fermented
or distilled liquors, or more loosely a liquid containing it in
considerable quantity. It is extracted by simple distillation from
various vegetable juices and infusions of a saccharine nature, which
have undergone vinous fermentation.
Note: As used in the U. S. "Pharmacopoeia, 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.)
Definition: 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
(C2H5OH); methyl forms methyl alcohol (CH3.OH) or wood spirit; amyl
forms amyl alcohol (C5H11.OH) or fusel oil, etc.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition