Etymology Map
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Liquor

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means strong alcoholic drink

Where does the word "liquor" come from? It comes from Latin liquor, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
liquor
Latin · ancient
"liquid, fluid"
from 'liquere', to be fluid
2
Stage 2 of 3
licour
Old French · medieval
"liquid"
any liquid, including juices
3
Stage 3 of 3
liquor
English · 1200s
"liquid"
narrowed to alcoholic drink in the 1700s
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Read the full story

Liquor’s story begins in Latin: liquor meant “liquid, fluid.” From 'liquere', to be fluid. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as licour. Any liquid, including juices. It reached English by 1200s as liquor. Narrowed to alcoholic drink in the 1700s. Today, liquor means strong alcoholic drink.