absinth

/'æbsinθ/ Cách viết khác : (absinthe) /'æbsinθ/

Thân thiện

A bartender pours a glass of absinth over a sugar cube.

Definition

Noun: 1. A strong, bitter, green-colored alcoholic liqueur: A distilled spirit historically flavored primarily with the herb wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), along with anise, fennel, and other botanicals. It is known for its high alcohol content and distinctive bitter flavor profile.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The bartender prepared a traditional absinth by dripping ice water over a sugar cube into the glass.
  • Absinth was famously associated with artists and writers in late 19th-century Paris.
  • The sale of absinth was banned in many countries for much of the 20th century.

Advanced Usage

• Historical/Cultural Context: The word "absinth" often evokes its controversial history, including its reputation as a psychoactive drink and its subsequent prohibition. Modern versions are typically thujone-free (thujone is a chemical compound found in wormwood).
• "The Green Fairy": A poetic nickname for absinth, stemming from its green color and its legendary, often exaggerated, effects.
  • Artists spoke of being visited by the "Green Fairy" for inspiration.

Variants and Related Words

• Absinthe: The more common modern spelling, often used interchangeably with "absinth."
• Wormwood: The key botanical ingredient () that gives the liqueur its characteristic bitterness.
• Pastis: A related anise-flavored liqueur from France that emerged after the absinthe ban.

Synonyms

• Spirit: A broad term for a strong distilled alcoholic drink.
• Liqueur: A sweetened, flavored spirit. (Note: While absinth is a spirit, it is often classified as a liqueur due to its flavoring and historical preparation with sugar.)

Related Phrases

• Absinthe ritual / French ritual: The traditional method of preparing absinthe by placing a sugar cube on a slotted spoon over the glass and slowly dripping ice water to dilute the spirit and release its flavors.
• Louche effect: The term for the cloudy, milky opalescence that occurs when water is added to absinth, caused by the precipitation of essential oils.

Học thuật

Noun

1. strong green liqueur flavored with wormwood and anise

Từ đồng nghĩa

• absinthe