toothful
Definition
Noun (informal): A small amount of an alcoholic drink, typically a mouthful or a sip, especially of spirits like whiskey or brandy. It derives from "tooth" + "-ful," suggesting enough liquid to wet the teeth.
Usage Examples
- (A small sip of whiskey.)
- (A small mouthful of brandy.)
- (A small serving of rum.)
Advanced Usage
- "Toothful" is rarely used in modern English; it is considered archaic or dialectal. It appears mostly in historical fiction, rural dialects, or humorous contexts.
- In some regions, it may refer to a small amount of any liquid, not necessarily alcoholic:
Variants and Related Words
- Tooth (n): a hard, bony structure in the mouth used for biting and chewing.
- -ful (suffix): forming nouns meaning "amount that fills" (e.g., handful, mouthful, spoonful).
Synonyms
- Mouthful: as much as the mouth can hold.
- Sip: a small drink taken by mouth.
- Dram: a small amount of an alcoholic drink, especially spirits.
- Nip: a small measure of spirits.
Related Idioms
- "A toothful of the creature": an old-fashioned British expression meaning a small drink of whiskey or gin.
- He called for a toothful of the creature to steady his nerves. (A small drink of whiskey.)
Notes
This word is not commonly used in contemporary English but may be encountered in classic literature or regional speech. It is distinct from "toothful" as an adjective meaning "having teeth" (e.g., a toothful smile), though that usage is extremely rare.