gin

gin [archaic geneva, from Du. from O.Fr. from Lat.,=juniper], spirituous liquor distilled chiefly from fermented cereals, malted and unmalted, and flavored with juniper berries. It originated in Holland (thus the name Hollands, or Holland, gin) but is now manufactured also in other countries, chiefly England and the United States. A type of gin developed in England is known as London gin; it is more highly distilled than Holland gin. Dry gin has been highly rectified. Old Tom gin is sweetened for use as a liqueur. Sloe gin is flavored with fresh sloes instead of juniper.

gin2 ardent spirit distilled from grain and malt. XVIII. abbrev. of Geneva.

gin¹ / jin/ • n. 1. a clear alcoholic spirit distilled from grain or malt and flavored with juniper berries. 2. (also gin rummy) a two-handed form of the card game rummy in which players are dealt ten cards each and attempt to produce a hand in which the point value of unmatched cards adds up to ten or less. gin² • n. 1. a machine for separating cotton from its seeds. 2. a machine for raising and moving heavy weights. 3. (also gin trap) a snare for catching game. • v. (ginned, gin·ning) [tr.] 1. treat (cotton) in a gin. 2. trap (a person or animal) in a gin. DERIVATIVES: gin·ner n.