moonshine

[moon-shahyn]

noun

1. Informal.,  smuggled or illicitly distilled liquor, especially corn liquor as illicitly distilled chiefly in rural areas of the southern U.S.

2. empty or foolish talk, ideas, etc.; nonsense.

3. the light of the moon; moonlight.

moonshine

/ ˈmuːnˌʃaɪn /

noun

1. another word for moonlight

2. illegally distilled or smuggled whisky or other spirit

3. foolish talk or thought

Word History and Origins

Origin of moonshine¹

1375–1425; late Middle English: moonlight. See moon, shine ¹,

Example Sentences

Those are reliable products in a country where illegal moonshine stills -- or the dangerous adulteration of imported liquor -- has been a persistent problem.

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One of Samar’s most distinct creations, Speakeasy, was inspired by 1920s underground queer bars and the illicit moonshine that fueled the Prohibition era.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Furthermore, most who drank did so occasionally, while hardcore winos would switch to dangerous moonshine.

Read more on Salon

The decline in alcohol quality due to rampant bootlegging forced bartenders to mask the harsh flavors of bathtub gin and moonshine.

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Following the shocking reveal that Hetty’s son was responsible for murdering Alberta with a bottle of strychnine-laced moonshine, Pinnock relished the opportunity to play a more romantic side of Alberta this season.

Read more on Los Angeles Times