arak

[ar-uh k, uh-rak]

noun

arrack.

arrack

or ar·ak

[ar-uh k, uh-rak]

noun

any of various spirituous liquors distilled in the East Indies and other parts of the East and Middle East from the fermented sap of toddy palms, or from fermented molasses, rice, or other materials.

Origin of arrack

1595–1605; < Arabic ʿaraq literally, sweat, juice; see raki

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for arak

Contemporary Examples of arak

It prohibits the manufacture of new centrifuges and work on the Arak reactor.
Obama and the Munich Katrinas
Michael Tomasky
November 26, 2013
The heavy water Arak reactor is scheduled to become active in the summer of 2014.
A Very Israeli Linkage: Iran's Nuclear Bomb and Peace With Palestine
Nadav Eyal
September 10, 2013
By the summer of 2014, the heavy water Arak reactor is scheduled to become active.
A Very Israeli Linkage: Iran's Bomb and Peace With the Palestinians
Nadav Eyal
September 10, 2013
Some put it bluntly: They say that if Arak starts working, Iran's bomb is inevitable.
A Very Israeli Linkage: Iran's Nuclear Bomb and Peace With Palestine
Nadav Eyal
September 10, 2013
Some put it bluntly: they say that if Arak starts working, Iran's bomb is inevitable.
A Very Israeli Linkage: Iran's Bomb and Peace With the Palestinians
Nadav Eyal
September 10, 2013

Historical Examples of arak

For we were in accord about this, that in New York whiskey is better than arak.
The Book of Khalid
Ameen Rihani
If the sahib will beat him with a whip he will tell who brought the arak.
The Three Sapphires
W. A. Fraser
We first began by drinking, as is the Turkish fashion, some excellent liqueur which is called in these parts "arak."
Sport in Abyssinia
Dermot Mayo
He replied, "I would go to your country if you would give me lots of tej and arak, and nothing to do."
Sport in Abyssinia
Dermot Mayo
You fellows seem to think you can get away with making it with 'arak, and your customers won't know the difference.
The Star Lord
Boyd Ellanby

British Dictionary definitions for arak

arrack

arak

noun

a coarse spirit distilled in various Eastern countries from grain, rice, sugar cane, etc

Word Origin for arrack

C17: from Arabic `araq sweat, sweet juice, liquor

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for arak

arrack

c.1600, probably picked up in India, ultimately from Arabic araq, literally "sweat, juice;" used of native liquors in Eastern countries, especially those distilled from fermented sap of coconut palm, sometimes from rice or molasses.