The correct spelling of the compound word "alcoholic solution" is often a source of confusion. The IPA phonetic transcription of this word is /ˌalkəˈhɒlɪk səˈluːʃən/. The first part of the word is spelled with a "k" instead of a "c" because it is derived from the Arabic word al-kuḥl. The second part, "hol," is spelled with an "h" instead of a "wh" because it does not come from Old English. The final part, "ic" is a typical suffix used to form adjectives in English.
An alcoholic solution refers to a liquid mixture that contains alcohol as a solvent. It is formed when one or more substances, either solid, liquid, or gas, are dissolved or diluted in alcohol. The term "alcoholic solution" typically denotes solutions where ethanol is used as the alcohol solvent.
Alcohol, or ethanol, acts as the main component of an alcoholic solution due to its ability to dissolve a wide range of substances. This characteristic makes it useful in many industries, such as pharmaceutical, perfumery, and chemical, for making tinctures, extracts, or solutions. In medicinal preparations, an alcoholic solution is commonly used to dissolve drugs or herbal extracts, allowing for better absorption and faster action within the body.
The concentration of alcohol in an alcoholic solution can vary, with different solutions offering different strengths depending on the intended use. The alcohol content may range from a few percent to highly concentrated solutions. It is worth mentioning that these solutions may also be referred to as alcoholic tinctures or alcoholic extracts, depending on the specific context and application.
Overall, alcoholic solutions have found widespread applications due to their solvent properties, which enable them to effectively dissolve various substances. The use of alcoholic solutions is governed by regulations and guidelines to ensure appropriate usage and safety, particularly for consumption, medical, and industrial purposes.
Spiritus; tinctura.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "alcoholic solution" has a relatively straightforward etymology.
The term "alcoholic" originates from the Latin word "alcohol", which itself is derived from the Arabic word "al-kuḥl" or "al-ghawl". Originally, "alcohol" referred specifically to a powder produced by grinding or pulverizing certain substances, such as stibnite or antimony sulfide.
Over time, the definition of alcohol expanded to include any distilled or spirituous substance. In the 18th century, it came to specifically refer to the intoxicating component found in fermented beverages. Later on, the word "alcoholic" was coined to describe individuals who compulsively consumed such beverages and became addicted to them.
The term "solution" stems from the Latin word "solūtio", which means to loosen or dissolve.