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proof-spirit
Spirit of wine, or any distilled alcoholic liquor, of proof strength: see proof n. 11.
1790Blagden in Phil. Trans. LXXX. 338 It may appear odd, that no mention has been made till now of proof spirit, the standard to which most of the regulations of the excise have hitherto been referred. 1811A. T. Thomson Lond. Disp. (1818) 380 Proof Spirit..is merely rectified spirit diluted with a certain proportion of water. According to the London and Dublin Colleges, its specific gravity should be to that of distilled water as 930 to 1000; while the Edinburgh College orders it of the gravity of 935. The former..contains 44 parts of pure alcohol and 56 of water in 100 parts; the latter..42 of pure alcohol and 58 of water in 100 parts. 1818Act 58 Geo. III, c. 28 To denote as Proof Spirit that which, at the Temperature of Fifty-one Degrees by Fahrenheit's Thermometer, weighs exactly Twelve Thirteenth Parts of an equal Measure of Distilled Water. 1876Harley Mat. Med. (ed. 6) 326 Proof Spirit is alcohol containing 49 per cent. by weight, or 42 per cent. by volume of water.
b. Formerly often in plural form, in accordance with the popular use of spirits for alcoholic drink.
1741Compl. Fam. Piece i. iv. 244 Take Mint 2 Handfuls, Proof-spirits 2 Gallons and a half. 1800Vince Hydrostat. ii. (1806) 25 Proof spirits consists, half of pure spirits, called alcohol, and half of water. |