whiskey
pronunciation
How to pronounce whiskey in British English:
UK ['wɪskɪ]
How to pronounce whiskey in American English:
US [ˈhwɪski]
-
- Noun:
- a liquor made from fermented mash of grain
Word Origin
- whiskey (n.)
- 1715, from Gaelic uisge beatha "whisky," literally "water of life," from Old Irish uisce "water" (from PIE *ud-skio-, from root *wed- (1) "water, wet;" see water (n.1)) + bethu "life" (from PIE *gwi-wo-tut-, suffixed form of *gwi-wo-, from root *gweie- (1) "to live;" see bio-). According to Barnhart, the Gaelic is probably a loan-translation of Medieval Latin aqua vitae, which had been applied to intoxicating drinks since early 14c. (compare French eau de vie "brandy"). Other early spellings in English include usquebea (1706) and iskie bae (1580s). In Ireland and Scotland obtained from malt; in the U.S. commonly made from corn or rye. Spelling distinction between Scotch whisky and Irish and American whiskey is a 19c. innovation. Whisky sour is recorded from 1889.
Example
- 1. Uncle pete fell in a whiskey vat last week .
- 2. Chinese consumers have developed a taste for whiskey brands .
- 3. Must be from the whiskey on her hand .
- 4. Making whiskey requires finding the right balance among myriad elements .
- 5. They also brought flowers and a bottle of whiskey .