1.
[syn: baker's yeast, brewer's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Saccharomyces \Sac`cha*ro*my"ces\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? sugar + ?,
?, a fungus.] (Biol.)
A genus of budding fungi, the various species of which have
the power, to a greater or less extent, or splitting up sugar
into alcohol and carbonic acid. They are the active agents in
producing fermentation of wine, beer, etc. Saccharomyces
cerevisiae is the yeast of sedimentary beer. Also called
Torula.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Alcohol \Al"co*hol\ ([a^]l"k[-o]*h[o^]l), n. [Cf. F. alcool,
formerly written alcohol, Sp. alcohol alcohol, antimony,
galena, OSp. alcofol; all fr. Ar. al-kohl a powder of
antimony or galena, to paint the eyebrows with. The name was
afterwards applied, on account of the fineness of this
powder, to highly rectified spirits, a signification unknown
in Arabia. The Sp. word has both meanings. Cf. Alquifou.]
1. An impalpable powder. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
2. The fluid essence or pure spirit obtained by distillation.
[Obs.] --Boyle.
[1913 Webster]
3. Pure spirit of wine; pure or highly rectified spirit
(called also ethyl alcohol or ethanol, CH3.CH2.OH);
the spirituous or intoxicating element of fermented or
distilled liquors, or more loosely a liquid containing it
in considerable quantity. It is extracted by simple
distillation from various vegetable juices and infusions
of a saccharine nature, which have undergone vinous
fermentation.
Note: [The ferementation is usually carried out by addition
of brewer's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae to an
aqueous solution containing carbohydrates.]
[1913 Webster +PJC]
Note: As used in the U. S. "Pharmacop[oe]ia," alcohol
contains 91 per cent by weight of ethyl alcohol and 9
per cent of water; and diluted alcohol (proof spirit)
contains 45.5 per cent by weight of ethyl alcohol and
54.5 per cent of water.
[1913 Webster]
4. (Organic Chem.) A class of compounds analogous to vinic
alcohol in constitution. Chemically speaking, they are
hydroxides of certain organic radicals; as, the radical
ethyl forms common or ethyl alcohol (C2H5.OH); methyl
forms methyl alcohol (CH3.OH) or wood alcohol; amyl
forms amyl alcohol (C5H11.OH) or fusel oil, etc.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
n 1: used as a leaven in baking and brewing [syn: baker's
yeast, brewer's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae]