schnapps

American  

[shnahps, shnaps] / ʃnɑps, ʃnæps /

Or schnaps

noun

1. (in Europe) any strong, dry spirit, as slivovitz, aquavit, or kirsch.

2. a drink of schnapps.

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schnapps British  

/ ʃnæps /

noun

1. a Dutch spirit distilled from potatoes

2. (in Germany) any strong spirit

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Etymology

Origin of schnapps

1810–20; < German, < Dutch or Low German snaps literally, gulp, mouthful, derivative of snappen to snap

Example Sentences

Along the way, greeters offer free shots of cherry schnapps that taste, I’m reliably told, like cough syrup cut with paint thinner.

From New York Times

But the scene primarily follows Aniela, a young Polish girl who works in the home, preparing a glass of schnapps to celebrate the commandant’s birthday, and delivering boots to him during his meeting.

From New York Times

As the heir to his stepfather's Phillips Distilling Company empire, which owns major schnapps and liquor brands, he is one of the wealthiest members of Congress.

From BBC

“There is a liqueur in southern Germany called gentian schnapps that contains an extract of that plant,” says Maik Behrens, a molecular biologist at the Technical University of Munich and co-author of the new study.

From Science Magazine

Phillips is one of the wealthiest members of Congress and heir to his stepfather’s Phillips Distilling Company empire, which holds major vodka and schnapps brands.

From Seattle Times