poteen
Americannoun
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the first distillation of a fermented mash in the making of whiskey.
-
illicitly distilled whiskey.
noun
Etymology
Origin of poteen
1805–15; < Irish poitín literally, small pot, diminutive of pota pot 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Yet the special charm of this book is that it manages to describe Irish peasant life without condescension or that peculiar quaintness which often produces a distinct aroma of poteen and formaldehyde.
From Time Magazine Archive
But for the next 50 years Ireland kept passing out literary surprises, for first-rate writers came along as fast as poteen at a christening: Russell, Synge, Gogarty, O'Casey, Joyce, O'Flaherty.
From Time Magazine Archive
When barley and potato prices rose during and after World War II, the poteen industry languished.
From Time Magazine Archive
Whereupon Mr. Jinks, imbibing more poteen, replied that assertions, though in themselves worthy of high respect when they issued from so lovely and fascinating a source, could still not stand in opposition to facts.
From The Last of the Foresters Or, Humors on the Border; A story of the Old Virginia Frontier by John Esten Cooke
"Well," said he, "ha, ha, ha! now that that breeze has blown over—about the poteen, Hartley?"
From Valentine M'Clutchy, The Irish Agent The Works of William Carleton, Volume Two by William Carleton
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