absinthe
/'æbsinθ/ Cách viết khác : (absinthe) /'æbsinθ/
Học thuậtThân thiện
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. 2. The herb wormwood (Artemisia absinthium): An aromatic, perennial herb native to temperate regions of Eurasia and North Africa, characterized by its silvery-green leaves and intensely bitter taste. It is the key botanical used to flavor the liqueur absinthe.
Examples of Usage
- As the liqueur:
- The bartender prepared a traditional absinthe by dripping ice water over a sugar cube into the glass.
- Many 19th-century artists and writers were famously associated with drinking absinthe.
- As the herb:
- The key ingredient in authentic absinthe is the essential oil from the absinthe plant.
- The garden featured several medicinal herbs, including absinthe.
Advanced Usage
- "The Green Fairy" (La Fée Verte): A poetic and historical nickname for the liqueur absinthe, referencing its green color and the reputed creative or hallucinatory effects it was said to inspire.
- Artists of the Belle Époque often sought inspiration from the Green Fairy.
Variants and Related Words
- Absinth (noun): An alternative, less common spelling for "absinthe," particularly for the liqueur.
- Absinthin (noun): The name of one of the bitter chemical compounds found in the wormwood plant.
- Absinthism (noun): A historical term for a syndrome of symptoms once attributed to chronic excessive consumption of absinthe.
Synonyms
- For the liqueur: Wormwood liquor.
- For the herb: Wormwood, .
Related Phrases
- Absinthe ritual / preparation: Refers to the traditional method of serving absinthe, which involves placing a sugar cube on a slotted spoon over a glass of absinthe and slowly dripping ice water through it to dilute and sweeten the drink.
- He demonstrated the classic absinthe ritual for his guests.
Noun
- strong green liqueur flavored with wormwood and anise
- aromatic herb of temperate Eurasia and North Africa having a bitter taste used in making the liqueur absinthe