ardent spirits

First attested 1471, from its inflammability; see etymology section of ardent.

• enPR: ärʹdnt

ardent spirits pl (plural only)

1. Strong distilled alcoholic liquor or whiskey.
   • 1837, et al, Honoré de Balzac, translated by Clara Bell, Facino Cane:

     "Even then I realized the possibilities of my suburb, that hotbed of revolution in which heroes, inventors, and practical men of science, rogues and scoundrels, virtues and vices, were all packed together by poverty, stifled by necessity, drowned in drink, and consumed by ardent spirits."

• aqua vitae