methylated spirits

American  

Or methylated spirit

noun

(usually used with a singular verb)

1. ethyl alcohol denatured with methyl alcohol for the purpose of preventing its use as an alcoholic beverage.

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methylated spirits British  

noun

1. Also called: metho.   meths.  (functioning as singular or plural) alcohol that has been denatured by the addition of methanol and pyridine and a violet dye

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Etymology

Origin of methylated spirits

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

In addition to prescription medications, she used methylated spirits, tea tree oil, and even put toothpaste on the spots.

From BBC • Jun. 28, 2020

Lush's cleaning staples are the same ones everybody's great-grandmother used: vinegar, bicarbonate of soda, methylated spirits, detergent, glycerine, milk.

From Time Magazine Archive

The exact point of neutralization can easily be found by taking out a small sample after stirring, and dissolving it in some methylated spirits.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 447, July 26, 1884 by Various

The formula for paste is as follows: 1 oz. best arrowroot, 40 grs. sheet gelatine, 1/2 oz. methylated spirits, 3 drops of carbolic acid.

From Harper's Round Table, October 15, 1895 by Various

Why, Mal, old lad, I can smell the methylated spirits in which you preserve your specimens quite plainly.”

From Witness to the Deed by Fenn, George Manville