Moonshine: meaning, definitions and examples

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moonshine

 

[ หˆmuหnสƒaษชn ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

illicit alcohol

Moonshine refers to homemade or illegally produced distilled liquor, often made in secret to avoid taxation or regulation. The term originated during the Prohibition era in the United States when the production and distribution of alcohol were banned. Moonshine is typically high in alcohol content and can be made from various ingredients such as corn, sugar, or fruit. Besides its historical significance, moonshine has cultural importance in many rural communities. Today, some communities celebrate moonshine heritage through festivals and distilleries that produce legally sanctioned versions.

Synonyms

bootleg, hooch, liquor, spirits

Examples of usage

  • He was caught selling moonshine in the backwoods.
  • The festival featured local moonshine made from corn.
  • They still make moonshine the old-fashioned way.
  • The authorities cracked down on illegal moonshine operations.

Translations

Translations of the word "moonshine" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น bebida caseira

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคšเคพเคเคฆเคจเฅ€

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Mondschein

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ sinar bulan

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะผั–ััั‡ะฝะต ัะฒั–ั‚ะปะพ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ blask ksiฤ™ลผyca

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๆœˆๅ…‰

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท lueur de lune

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ luz de luna

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท ay ฤฑลŸฤฑฤŸฤฑ

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋‹ฌ๋น›

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุถูˆุก ุงู„ู‚ู…ุฑ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ mฤ›sรญฤnรญ svit

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ mesaฤnรฝ svit

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆœˆๅ…‰

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ meseฤina

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ mรกni

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฐะน ะถะฐั€ั‹า“ั‹

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒ—แƒ•แƒแƒ แƒ˜แƒก แƒจแƒฃแƒฅแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ay iลŸฤฑฤŸฤฑ

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ luz de luna

Etymology

The word 'moonshine' has its roots in the late 18th century and originally referred to the light of the moon; it was used metaphorically to describe the clandestine activities of making alcohol under the cover of darkness. The etymology is an interesting blend of the natural world and human defiance against the law. In the early 1900s, particularly during the Prohibition era in the United States from 1920 to 1933, the term came to encapsulate the illegal production of alcoholic beverages. During this time, many individuals turned to making moonshine as a means of survival, resulting in a significant rise in production and demand. The practice of distilling moonshine has cultural connections to Appalachia and Southern communities, often tied to family traditions and rural craftsmanship. Post-Prohibition, some moonshiners shifted to legal production, influencing the craft distilling renaissance of the 21st century.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,005, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.