The word "alcoholometer" is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription /ˌælkəˈhɒləˌmɪtər/. The first syllable, "alco," is pronounced with the short "a" sound as in "cat." The second syllable, "holo," is pronounced with the long "o" sound as in "go." The final syllable, "meter," is pronounced with the short "i" sound as in "hit." In use, an alcoholometer is a tool used to measure the strength of alcohol in a liquid, such as in a drink or solution.
An alcoholometer refers to a scientific apparatus or instrument specifically designed and used for measuring the alcoholic content or strength of a liquid, particularly distilled spirits, and alcoholic beverages. It is a specialized tool employed in the field of enology (the study of wine and winemaking) and other related industries involved in the production, quality control, and analysis of alcoholic drinks.
Typically, an alcoholometer consists of a graduated glass tube or cylinder loaded with a weighted bulb at the bottom. The device operates based on the principle of buoyancy and density. The cylinder is partially submerged into the liquid being tested, and the denser the liquid, the deeper the bulb will sink. The graduated markings on the cylinder indicate the alcoholic strength by measuring the level of submersion of the bulb. Alcoholometers are often calibrated to specific scales, depending on the unit of measurement used in a particular region.
The accurate determination of alcohol content is crucial for various purposes, including regulatory compliance, quality assurance, taxation, and establishing the potency or standardization of alcoholic beverages. Alcoholometers provide an efficient and dependable means of obtaining this information. They are widely used in laboratory settings, commercial distilleries, breweries, wineries, and even by individuals interested in homebrewing or verifying the alcohol content of a drink.
An apparatus for determining the quantity of alcohol in a fluid.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
An instrument for ascertaining the strength of spirits.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "alcoholometer" is a combination of two components: "alcohol" and "meter".
The term "alcohol" originates from the Arabic word "al-kuḥl" which referred to a fine powder obtained by distillation, specifically "kohl" in reference to a cosmetic black powder used for eye makeup. Through Arabic influence, this term entered various languages including Latin, English, and many others, eventually being associated with the intoxicating substance we know today.
The word "meter" comes from the Greek word "metron", meaning "measure". It is derived from the ancient Greek verb "μετρέω" (metreo), which means "to measure". "Meter" is commonly used as a suffix in scientific instruments to indicate measuring devices.