arrack
|ar-rack|
/əˈræk/
Southeast Asian distilled spirit
Etymology
'arrack' originates from Malay/Indonesian, specifically the word 'arak', where 'arak' meant 'distillate'.
'arrack' changed from Arabic 'araq' (meaning 'sweat' or 'distillate') into Malay/Indonesian 'arak', entered European languages (e.g. Portuguese 'arrac'/'arrack'), and eventually became the modern English word 'arrack'.
Initially, it meant 'distillate' (a liquid produced by distillation), but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a particular type of distilled spirit from South and Southeast Asia'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a strong distilled alcoholic beverage traditionally produced in South and Southeast Asia from fermented sap (such as coconut palm or toddy), rice, or sugarcane.
He bought a bottle of arrack while traveling in Sri Lanka.
Synonyms
Noun 2
a term sometimes used (and historically related) to refer to similar regional distilled spirits, including varieties like the Middle Eastern anise-flavoured 'arak'—spellings and specific drinks can vary by region.
In some texts, arrack and arak are used interchangeably to describe local distilled drinks.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/18 12:06