john barleycorn
NounWordNet 3.0
Noun (1)
- an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermentedSynonyms: liquorspiritsboozehard drinkhard liquorJohn Barleycornstrong drink
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Barleycorn \Bar"ley*corn`\, n. [See Corn.]
1.A grain or "corn" of barley. [1913 Webster]
2.Formerly, a measure of length, equal to the average length of a grain of barley; the third part of an inch. [1913 Webster]
John Barleycorn, a humorous personification of barley as the source of malt liquor or whisky. [1913 Webster]