ardent spirits

== English == === Etymology === First attested 1471, from its inflammability; see etymology section of ardent. === Pronunciation === enPR: ärʹdnt === Noun === ardent spirits pl (plural only) Distilled alcoholic liquor such as whiskey, brandy, or vodka; especially, strong variants thereof (higher-proof versions). Synonyms: aqua vitae (archaic), water of life (archaic) Hypernyms: drink (alcoholic sense), liquor (broad sense), booze (broad sense), strong drink (broad sense), hard drink (broad sense) < drink (broad sense), beverage Hyponyms: (highest-proof, strongest) neutral spirits, rectified spirits, everclear Near-synonyms: hard liquor, liquor (narrow sense), strong drink (narrow sense), hard drink (narrow sense), spirits ==== See also ====