ALCOHOL, or rather Alkool, in Chemistry, an Arabic Term, chiefly understood of the purest Spirit of Wine, raised or rectified by repeated Distillations to its utmost Subtility, and Perfection; so that if Fire be set thereto, it burns wholly away, without leaving the least Phlegm or Feces behind. See SPIRIT, DISTILLATION, RECTIFICATION, &c.
The Word Alcohol is sometimes also used for a very fine, impalpable Powder. See POWDER. The Word is formed from the Arabic or Hebrew kaal, to lessen, attenuate, subtilize.
