gin

gin · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A clear alcoholic spirit distilled from grain and flavored with juniper berries.

  2. 2.

    A machine for separating cotton fibers from seeds; a cotton gin.

  3. 3.

    A card game in which players try to form sets and runs; gin rummy.

Forms

plural: gins

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    gin and tonic — a classic cocktail combining gin with tonic water
  • •
    gin rummy — a popular card game for two players
  • •
    cotton gin — a machine for processing raw cotton

Related words

See also: tonic, vodka, whiskey
Synonyms: liquor, spirit

Etymology

From Dutch jenever ("juniper"), from Latin juniperus ("juniper"). The word was shortened to "gin" in English. The machine sense comes from a different origin: a shortened form of "engine."