ardent spirits
English
Etymology
First attested 1471, from its inflammability; see etymology section of ardent.
Pronunciation
- enPR: ärʹdnt
Noun
ardent spirits pl (plural only)
- Strong distilled alcoholic liquor or whiskey.
- "Even then I realized the possibilities of my suburb, that hotbed of revolution in which heroes, inventors, and practical men of science, rogues and scoundrels, virtues and vices, were all packed together by poverty, stifled by necessity, drowned in drink, and consumed by ardent spirits."
Synonyms
- aqua vitae
Related terms
- booze
- hard drink
- hard liquor
- John Barleycorn
- liquor
- spirits
- strong drink