raki

or ra·kee

[rah-kee, ruh-, rak-ee, rah-kee]

noun

a spirituous liquor distilled from grain, grapes, plums, etc., in southeastern Europe and the Near East.

Origin of raki

1665–75; < Turkish < Arabic ʿaraqī, equivalent to ʿaraq arrack + -ī suffix of appurtenance

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for raki

Contemporary Examples of raki

“My sales have dropped by 90 percent,” said Nurettin, the owner of a store filled with wine, beer, Raki and whisky.
With New Turkish Liquor Ban, Raki Goes Underground
Thomas Seibert
June 13, 2014

Historical Examples of raki

Raki is a colourless spirit, extracted from the skins of grapes after the wine-making.
Albania
E. F. Knight
These consisted of two little public-houses, one famous for its wine, the other for its raki.
Albania
E. F. Knight
The sole effect of the raki was to make him exceedingly devotional.
Albania
E. F. Knight
Moreover, I had heard of this raki of theirs, which is so much fire-water, and I didn't take their temperance very seriously.
McClure's Magazine, Vol. XXXI, No. 6, October, 1908
Various
Raki and mastic, the favourite beverages of this part of Europe, are drinkable: that is all that can be said for them.
Albania
E. F. Knight

British Dictionary definitions for raki

raki

rakee

noun

a strong spirit distilled in Turkey, the former Yugoslavia, etc, from grain, usually flavoured with aniseed or other aromatics

Word Origin for raki

C17: from Turkish rāqī

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