whisky

Meaning

Noun

• An alcoholic liquor distilled from fermented grain and usually aged in oak barrels.
• A drink of this liquor.
• A light gig or carriage.

Origin

• Attested since the early 18th century. Variant of usque, abbreviation of usquebaugh (compare obsolete whiskybae). From Scottish Gaelic uisge-beatha and Irish uisce beatha ("water of life"). Compare aquavit, from Latin aqua vītae ("water of life").