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 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

Imitation Satin-wood.—Take methylated spirits one quart, ground turmeric three ounces, powdered gamboge one and a-half ounces.

From French Polishing and Enamelling A Practical Work of Instruction by Bitmead, Richard

I thought I had found the missing link, and I had thoughts of preserving him in methylated spirits, only I had not a bottle large enough.

From Australia Twice Traversed, Illustrated, by Giles, Ernest