liqueur

Where does the word "liqueur" come from? It comes from Latin liquifacere, passing through French before entering English (1742).

Liqueur’s story begins in Latin: liquifacere meant “to make liquid.” To make liquid, from liquere (to be fluid) and facere (to make). By 1700s, the word had taken hold in French as liqueur. Settled in French for a sweet, flavored spirit. It reached English by 1742 as liqueur. Monks made herbal liqueurs such as Benedictine and Chartreuse. Today, liqueur means a strong, sweet, flavored alcoholic spirit, typically served after a meal.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient liquifacere "to make liquid", to make liquid, from liquere (to be fluid) and facere (to make).
2. Stage 2 · French · 1700s liqueur "a sweet, flavored alcoholic spirit", settled in French for a sweet, flavored spirit.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1742 liqueur "a sweet, flavored alcoholic spirit, often served after a meal", monks made herbal liqueurs such as Benedictine and Chartreuse.