Definition

1. Noun:
   • A standard measure of alcoholic strength: "Proof spirit" is a specific, legally defined mixture of alcohol and water. It contains exactly 50% alcohol by volume when measured at a temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 15.6 degrees Celsius). This standard is used for calculating and taxing the alcoholic strength of beverages.

Usage

• The term "proof spirit" is primarily used in technical, legal, and commercial contexts related to the production, taxation, and regulation of alcoholic beverages.
• It serves as a fixed reference point. For example, a spirit that is "100 proof" is defined as being at the strength of proof spirit (50% ABV). A spirit that is "80 proof" is 40% ABV.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The law defined the excise duty based on the quantity of proof spirit in the distilled beverage.
  • To calculate the tax, the distiller must convert the actual alcohol content to its equivalent volume of proof spirit.
  • In the United Kingdom, proof spirit was historically defined as spirit with a specific gravity of 12/13 relative to water at 51°F.

Advanced Usage

• "Over proof": A spirit stronger than the proof spirit standard (i.e., greater than 50% ABV). For instance, "navy strength" rum is often 57% ABV, which is 114 proof under the UK system.
• "Under proof": A spirit weaker than the proof spirit standard (i.e., less than 50% ABV).

Variants and Related Words

• Proof (n): In the context of alcohol, "proof" is a unit derived from "proof spirit." It indicates the alcoholic strength relative to the standard. Note: The exact conversion between "proof" and alcohol by volume (ABV) differs between countries (e.g., the UK vs. the US system).
• Alcohol by volume (ABV) (n): A direct measure of the percentage of pure alcohol in a beverage, now more commonly used than "proof" in many contexts.

Synonyms

• Standard spirit (in specific legal/technical contexts).
• Taxable spirit standard.

Notes on Different Meanings

• The word "proof" has many other common meanings (e.g., evidence, a test print, resistant). "Proof spirit" is a specialized compound term where "proof" refers specifically to this historical standard of alcoholic strength. The term itself is almost always used in its full form, "proof spirit."

Noun

1. a mixture containing half alcohol by volume at 60 degrees Fahrenheit