noun
nonflavored alcohol of 95 percent or 190 proof used for blending with straight whiskies and in making gin and liqueurs
• Syn: ↑ethyl alcohol
• Hypernyms: ↑alcohol, ↑alcoholic drink, ↑alcoholic beverage, ↑intoxicant, ↑inebriant
• Substance Meronyms: ↑ethyl alcohol, ↑ethanol, ↑fermentation alcohol, ↑grain alcohol
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noun plural but singular or plural in construction : ethyl alcohol of 190 or higher proof used especially for blending other alcoholic liquors — compare neutral brandy
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nonflavored alcohol of 95 percent, or 190 proof, obtained chiefly from grain or molasses or redistilled from brandy, rum, etc., used for blending with straight whiskies and in the making of gin, cordials, liqueurs, and the like.
[1915-20]
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neutral spirits plural noun (N American)
Non-flavoured alcohol of 190º proof or higher, used for blending with other alcoholic liquors
• • •
Main Entry: ↑neutral
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neutral spirits,
unaged ethyl alcohol used with aged whisky to make blended whiskeys, with flavoring to make gin, or without blending as vodka.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.