Definition of liquor

The origin of the word "liquor" dates back to Latin, where it was originally called "liquor" meaning "a liquid" or "juice". This word was adopted by the ancient Romans to refer to the liquid remaining after pressing fruits or vegetables in order to extract their juice (such as olive oil from olives, or wine from grapes). As Christianity spread throughout Europe, the Latin word "liquor" took on a new meaning in reference to the liquid remaining after the process of leaching, a method used to separate substances in a solution. The word was also used to refer to sacramental wine used in the Christian Eucharist. During the Middle Ages, as the production of distilled spirits increased, "liquor" became more commonly used to describe such products. This usage became more prevalent during the 17th and 18th centuries as distilled spirits began to be more widely produced and consumed. The term "hard liquor" also arose during this time to distinguish distilled spirits from non-alcoholic or low-alcoholic drinks. Today, "liquor" continues to be used to describe alcoholic beverages such as whiskey, gin, vodka, and rum, as well as other drinks like wine, beer, and cider. The use of "liquor" to describe non-alcoholic substances has largely disappeared, while the term "liquid" is now used to describe any substance with a liquid state or consistency.