spirituous

American  

[spir-i-choo-uhs] / ˈspɪr ɪ tʃu əs /

adjective

1. containing, of the nature of, or pertaining to alcohol; alcoholic.

2. (of alcoholic beverages) distilled, rather than fermented.

---

spirituous British  

/ ˈspɪrɪtjʊəs, ˌspɪrɪtjʊˈɒsɪtɪ /

adjective

1. characterized by or containing alcohol

2. (of a drink) being a spirit

---

Other Word Forms

• nonspirituous adjective
• nonspirituousness noun
• spirituosity noun
• spirituously adverb
• spirituousness noun
• unspirituous adjective

Etymology

Origin of spirituous

1590–1600; < Latin spīritu-, stem of spīritus spirit + -ous

Example Sentences

"For the spirituous liquor industry, glass and key raw material ingredients for plastic closures are the main drivers of constraint," according to the statement.

From Salon

The Senate agreed on Tuesday to accept House changes to the measure, designed in part to help encourage growth in the manufacturing of spirituous liquor in the state.

From Washington Times

State law protecting against “adulterated” foods says a confectionary is adulterated if made with “any vinous, malt, or spirituous liquor or compound or narcotic drug.”

From Seattle Times

Aging strong ales in used bourbon barrels has been popular for years, and now brewers are using the spirituous note provided by the whiskey barrels as a component in cocktail-inspired beers.

From Los Angeles Times

In 1615, a German doctor suggested that “the hot and spirituous blood of a young man will pour into the old one as if it were from a fountain of youth.”

From The New Yorker