spiritous

American  

[spir-i-tuhs] / ˈspɪr ɪ təs /

adjective

Archaic.

1. of the nature of spirit; immaterial, ethereal, or refined.

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spiritous British  

/ ˈspɪrɪtəs /

adjective

1. a variant spelling of spirituous

2. archaic  high-spirited

3. archaic  ethereal; pure

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Other Word Forms

• nonspiritous adjective

Etymology

Origin of spiritous

First recorded in 1595–1605; spirit + -ous

Example Sentences

The berries are scantily produced, nor are the people of the country at all acquainted with the method of making a spiritous liquor from them, as in other places.

From Project Gutenberg

The manner in which wine, cyder, mead, and all the liquors formed by the spiritous fermentation, are produced, is well known to every one.

From Project Gutenberg

"I allow no spiritous liquors in my home," said Reverend Hale.

From Project Gutenberg

Dad has drank a good deal of spiritous and malt liquors in his time, but I don't think he ever indulged much in champagne at three or four dollars a bottle at home.

From Project Gutenberg

It was not long however before they became clamorous for spiritous liquors; and the evening presented such a bacchanalia, including the women and the children, as I never before witnessed.

From Project Gutenberg