proof spiritn.
/ˌpruːf ˈspɪrɪt/, U.S. /ˌpruf ˈspɪrᵻt/ In singular and (formerly) †plural. Distilled alcoholic liquor that is of proof strength or at proof (proof n. 10b). Cf. proof n. 10b.
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proof spirit1691
1691 W. Yworth New Art of making Wines vi. 81 Distill it into proof Spirit, then add Galanga, Nutmegs, [etc.].
1696 W. Salmon Family-dict. (ed. 2) 20/2 This Spirit is called Low Wine... Distil it a second time, which is called Rectification, in which it may be brought into Proof-Spirit or artificial Brandy, which you please.
1736 Compl. Family-piece i. iv. 171 Take Mint 2 Handfuls, proof-spirits 2 Gallons and a half.
1757 A. Cooper Compl. Distiller iii. xlviii. 213 Recipe for a Gallon of Roman Water. Take the outer..Peels of six Citrons;..a Gallon of Proof Spirit, and two Quarts of Water.
1818 Act 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.
1839 A. Ure Dict. Arts 402 The distiller of malt whiskey calculates on obtaining two gallons of proof spirits from one bushel of malt.
1910 Encycl. Brit. I. 233/2 Beer is legally anything that is sold as beer provided that it has 2% of proof spirit.
1968 Times 31 Oct. 26/6 The introduction of metric weights and measures will mean the end of the time-honoured British system of proof spirit.
1995 R. Weir Hist. Distillers Company ii. xv. 260 In 1918, the Canadian government prohibited the manufacture and import of liquor containing more than 2.5 per cent proof spirit.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1691